Mark Warner

I think we create a problem by going down the path of discussion when we know Governors are not asking for it.

It would impact direct services and potential services that local governments could provide because their ability to borrow would diminish if there is a debt crisis.

I would echo what Senator Wyden said in regards to tax reform.

The big chunk of our retirement funds--I can tell you, as a former mayor, we invested in U.S. securities all the time because it is the safest and the right place to put the money.

If we have those discussions, we may have assumptions that we can lay down, but then we at least can know what those numbers will be

The process of a CR is damaging and is irresponsible.

The certainty of what our tax policies are, I think, are going to be very critical long-term

I think the idea of a summit is fine, but I really believe that the role of the Budget Committee should--as a former mayor, what we used to do, we would present our budget to the Budget Committee.

I look forward to working with you and Senator Sessions and all our colleagues on making sure we do not get to that point.

It is really only a question of when, and whether we are going to do this on our timetable in a way that is not disruptive to the economy or whether it is going to be dictated by the markets.

Simply talking about deficit reduction does not get us anyplace.

We need to move forward on a real plan.

If we were to make permanent--as some on the other side of the aisle have stated--all the Bush tax cuts, that adds another $4 trillion to our deficit; is that not correct?

I thank the Senator from Illinois for laying out the facts, but there is one additional fact--again, vis-a-vis the Bush tax cuts--that I think has been absent from some of this debate. The efforts of the Senator from Illinois--Herculean as…

Of course, the middle class needs to have these tax cuts continued, given the economic difficulties that we are now facing.

Yesterday's actions by the House to raise taxes on the very consumers and small businesses most likely to pull us out of this poor economy, I think, is more of the same failed economic policies that have hindered America's recovery.

I was heartened to see that people from diverse political backgrounds, as Senator Durbin who is now supporting that report, as well as Senator Conrad and the Democratic side now joined by Senator Coburn and Senator Crapo, were able to say…

Despite nearly $5 trillion of fiscal and monetary stimulus, we have 101,000 fewer jobs in America than when the recession officially ended.

I hope in this coming year we will get a chance to look at this issue more deeply and make sure that America takes an appropriate leadership role in this field.

I think the Deficit Commission concurred with those of us who believe that the commercial side... is going to be a critical part of our space future.

Madam President, I rise today to continue a recent tradition of the Senate--the tradition of honoring exemplary Federal employees--my friend Senator Ted Kaufman began last year. Senator Kaufman believes, as I do, that our Federal employees…

Let me echo what Sheila said on the issue of the housing market and just add to that something I noted in my written testimony.

It is important also to remember that while it was servicers who caused this problem, it is borrowers who are, of course, paying the price.

These problems may have resulted in problems for borrowers who otherwise may have been able to pay their mortgages.

Many Members up here--I mentioned Bob Menendez, among others in this Committee, going back a long time who talked about this literally.