Political Quotes

“Mr. President, today the Senate will have a cloture vote on the motion to proceed to S. 953, the Student Loan Affordability Act, continuing a disturbing pattern when it comes to the consideration and processing of legislation under the jurisdiction of the Senate Finance Committee, of which I am the ranking member. This legislation contains revenue-raising measures that should be considered in the Finance Committee before coming to the floor. Yet, once again, the Senate Democratic leadership has opted to bypass the committee by way of Senate rule XIV. If the majority leader succeeds in proceeding to S. 953, I plan to offer a motion to commit the bill to the Finance Committee. There is bipartisan support for reforming tax incentives for education. If the opportunity arises, my motion could be crafted in such a way to focus the Finance Committee's efforts on reforming these incentives in short order. Millions of American families and students would be well-served by such reforms. In any event, any legislation addressing these incentives should be considered through regular order, which means full and fair consideration in the Senate Finance Committee. I intend to work to make sure that takes place. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Rhode Island.”