[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 61 (Tuesday, May 14, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S4294]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TAX RELIEF AND SPENDING

  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, in the remaining minutes over which we 
have control, I wish to respond to a couple of things my friend from 
Illinois indicated.
  One was his being very critical of tax relief and tax reduction. It 
seems to me in a time when one of the real issues before us is the 
economy, what could you be doing better to help the economy than to 
reduce taxes? I think that is why the President has pushed that. That 
is why more conservatives have pushed that. But to be critical of that 
when we are trying to do something with the economy seems to be a 
little out of context.
  It also is difficult to wonder why the folks who are the big spenders 
here are worried about the deficit. We passed a bill that was almost 
$85 billion more than the previous in agriculture. We did not have any 
concern about that. So we have people over here who think Government 
ought to be involved in everything and everyone's lives, and dollars 
ought to be spent for everything in terms of any program you can think 
of--and then to hear some concern about the deficit?
  I point out, as we talk about problems, there are two sides to these 
issues and you have to take a little look at what it is you want. If 
you want a better economy, then you probably need to do something about 
having taxes be too high. If you don't want to spend so much, you 
probably ought to take a look at some of the spending bills that you 
are pushing.
  There is a conflict here, but to get up on the floor and complain 
about reducing taxes yet wanting our economy to be stronger, to get up 
here and talk about a deficit and then be a great supporter of all the 
big spending bills--there is a certain conflict there and I think we 
ought to measure a little bit what we want in terms of what we do in 
the interim.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. CORZINE. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. Clinton). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Under the previous order, the time until 10:30 a.m. shall be under 
the control of the majority leader or his designee.
  The Senator from New Jersey.
  Mr. CORZINE. Thank you, Madam President.

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