Orrin Hatch: “I wasn't offering it, but I will be happy to move to put it aside when the time comes. I understand one of the motions…”

“I wasn't offering it, but I will be happy to move to put it aside when the time comes. I understand one of the motions to instruct, as I was saying, filed by one of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, says we should extend the research credit for an additional 2 years. In concept, I certainly agree with this idea. The research credit is vital to America keeping its lead in world innovation. But if we are instructing the conferees as to better tax policy, why should we stop at a 2-year extension? If the research credit is worthy of an extension of an additional 2 years, why is it not worthy of a permanent extension? Along with the distinguished Senator from Montana, Senator Baucus, I have been for many years an advocate of making the research credit permanent. As the lead Republican sponsor of legislation to provide for a permanent research credit, it seems I have come to the floor nearly every year for the past dozen years to either introduce a bill to make the research credit permanent or to offer an amendment to do the same. I might add that Senator Baucus, the distinguished Senator from Montana, has been my partner in this matter--or should I say I have been his partner in this body. We have worked together to try and do this, along with a whole raft of other Senators, usually almost 100 percent. In 2001, the Senate overwhelmingly passed an amendment to the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act to make the research credit permanent.…”