[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 45 (Monday, March 16, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3097-S3098]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    ADDRESSING AMERICA'S PRIORITIES

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, this weekend, we learned that AIG doled out 
$165 million in bonuses to their senior executives--bonuses paid for 
with taxpayer-funded bailout dollars. With millions of Americans out of 
work, staying up nights trying to figure out how to make this week's 
paycheck last until the next paycheck, wondering how they will make the 
next mortgage payment or pay the overdue bill--maybe even a tuition 
bill--these executive bonuses are beyond even outrageous. I don't know 
what a term is that is more definitive than ``outrageous,'' but 
``outrageous'' does the trick. These bonuses being paid are outrageous.
  President Obama has instructed Secretary Geithner to pursue every 
legal avenue to address this grievous abuse of taxpayer money. I 
applaud that effort. Our financial sector will never heal unless the 
financial companies that helped create this economic crisis begin to 
regain the public trust. The actions of AIG do just the opposite, and 
every American is justified in their outrage at this breach of public 
trust.
  President Obama was asked recently about the role of bipartisanship 
in addressing America's priorities. He said that it is the job of the 
majority to be inclusive and of the minority to be constructive.
  In the early days of the 111th Congress, Democrats have worked to be 
inclusive. We have achieved considerable legislative success: passing a 
major lands bill which we will return to later this week, as I have 
indicated; the children's health insurance bill to provide health 
coverage to millions of children of low-income families; the Lilly 
Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to ensure the principle of equal pay for equal 
work; the President's Economic Recovery Act to begin stabilizing our 
economy and addressing the fiscal crisis this President inherited; and, 
of course, we passed the Omnibus appropriations bill,

[[Page S3098]]

which was unfinished business from the Bush Presidency. This important 
legislation funds Government for the rest of the fiscal year and 
provides funds to help meet the needs of the American people. This 
success has come when Democrats and Republicans have put politics aside 
to find common ground.
  This week, we will return to consideration of a package of more than 
160 public land bills, as I mentioned earlier, that will protect our 
environment and natural resources for generations to come. This lands 
package has been called, by editorial writers all over the country, the 
most significant environmental legislation in more than a quarter of a 
century.
  Chairman Bingaman and Senator Murkowski did an outstanding job of 
working together in the committee. The Senate followed their example by 
approving the bill earlier this year by a strong bipartisan majority of 
73 votes. As we near the finish line on this legislation, I hope 
Senators from both parties will continue to follow the bipartisan 
example set by Senators Bingaman and Murkowski by once again voting to 
pass this legislation.
  We will also vote on several nominees to President Obama's 
administration. We hope to do it in the next few days. As our new 
President attempts to overcome the enormous burdens he inherited from 
the previous administration, it is critical that we help him succeed by 
providing him with all the tools, staff, and expertise he needs.
  Starting this week, Members will begin to discuss President Obama's 
budget for the 2010 fiscal year.
  Less than 2 months into his term, President Obama has already taken 
bold and necessary steps to begin the long climb out of the deep ditch 
that was left to him by the previous administration's fiscal policies. 
We have begun to take the necessary steps to get our economy back on 
track, save and create jobs, restore confidence in the markets, and 
help families keep their homes. President Obama's budget will build on 
those near-term investments by laying the groundwork for a longer term 
path back to broad prosperity for all Americans.
  The President's budget is built on the promise that no matter how 
difficult our immediate challenge, we have to keep focused on the 
future. We will do that by investing in health care, education, and a 
cleaner more affordable energy policy, while providing tax relief and 
helping middle-class Americans afford to purchase and stay in their 
homes.
  These are some of the most serious issues we have ever faced, and we 
face them together. We must all realize that. As we move forward, we 
have a choice to make. Those who are opposed can try to block us or 
they can work with us to accomplish the critical needs of the American 
people. I am confident it will be the latter.

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