Alan Simpson: “I am so very proud to join my colleagues in the centrist coalition in declaring my support for this bipartisan budget…”

“I am so very proud to join my colleagues in the centrist coalition in declaring my support for this bipartisan budget resolution. Everyone in this Chamber should take a close look at our amendment. Reading this plan will be a frustrating and vexing experience for the critics who are always anxious to label legislation as ``extreme'' or ``timid'' or ``too conservative'' or ``too liberal.'' None of those tired old labels apply to this budget resolution. This is truly a blueprint for a mainstream budget. It is the product of many weeks and months of compromise and negotiation and good old-fashioned ``give and take.'' On issue after issue, Republicans and Democrats in the centrist coalition have resolved areas of disagreement by ``splitting the difference'' or ``meeting each other halfway.'' That is what legislating is all about. For every element of this plan that Republicans don't like, there is another provision that is equally troubling to Democrats. Under this budget resolution, neither party would score a clear ``political win''--but the Congress as a whole and, more importantly, the American people would benefit tremendously if we adopt this mainstream approach to balancing the budget. The most striking feature of our plan is that we do not shy away from correcting the inaccuracies in the Consumer Price Index [CPI].”