Russ Feingold: “this motion requires we do first things first. It says we should pass marriage penalty relief, but it also says we…”

“this motion requires we do first things first. It says we should pass marriage penalty relief, but it also says we should substantially extend the solvency of Social Security and Medicare at the same time. By 2037, the Social Security trust fund will have consumed all of its assets. By 2025, the Medicare HI trust fund will have consumed all of its assets. To fix Social Security and Medicare, we can make small changes now or big changes later. That is why President Clinton was right when he said ``save Social Security first.'' It would be irresponsible to enact tax cuts this size before doing anything about Social Security and Medicare. Before the Senate passes tax cuts this size, the Finance Committee should report a plan to extend Social Security and Medicare. We should do first things first. That is what this motion requires.”