On the recordMay 19, 2011
I thank my colleague. He sums it up pretty well, is all I can say. For our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, we need to get this done. Frankly, it ought to be done in the Budget Committee and not by rule XIV on the floor. The reason it should be done in the Budget Committee is because I know the minority will weigh in and at least have their viewpoints expressed. There will be amendments, and people can vote up or down on whatever it is. Then they can bring it to the floor, and we should have a complete consideration of it here as well. That is the way it ought to be done. As a former member of the Budget Committee, I have to admit it is a difficult process, but it is not difficult if we all work together to get spending under control and quit taxing the American people to death. We can do this if we work together. I hate to say it, but I think our friends on the other side are not working together in their own caucus. The distinguished Senator from Alabama has pointed that out--I think courteously--today. I hope they will get together, even though I am pretty sure they are going to come up with a budget that continues to spend and tax such as we have had in the past. I hope they do not. If they do not, I think the American people will breathe a sigh of relief and say they did a good job. If they do, I think it will be more of the same.
