[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 156 (Thursday, December 2, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8358-S8359]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          MISPLACED PRIORITIES

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, yesterday we watched a number of 
Democratic Senators come to the Senate floor and express their 
exasperation at not being able to do what they want to do around here. 
It is quite astonishing.
  Let's face it, most Americans are not particularly interested in the 
things Democratic leaders have put at the top of their to-do list. They 
thought they put a restraining order on Democratic partisan priorities 
early last month. It is time Democrats put the priorities of the voters 
first.
  In a couple of weeks the lights go out around here unless we do 
something to stop it. At the end of the month every taxpayer suffers a 
pay cut unless we stop it. But Democrats would rather spend the 
Senate's limited time on don't ask, don't tell and immigration. They 
would rather come down to the floor to talk about filibuster rules.
  So they still do not get it, and that is why Republicans are 
insisting we put these things aside and finish the most important and 
urgent legislation before time runs out.

[[Page S8359]]

  Fifteen million Americans are out of work. More than 3 million of 
those jobs have been lost since the stimulus was passed. So with all 
due respect for the Democrats' economic theories, the $1 trillion 
stimulus, endless government spending, and bailouts do not appear to 
have worked.
  We have tried their way. Now it is time to try what businesses and 
families are asking us to do. Ask any business owner in America what we 
could do to help them start hiring again, and they will tell you the 
best thing we can do is give them certainty about their taxes.
  The DREAM Act does not create jobs. Filibuster rules do not create 
jobs. Wasting time on votes to raise taxes will not create jobs.
  Right now, House Democrats are getting ready to send us a bill on 
taxes they know will not pass in the Senate. This is a purely political 
exercise. Just consider what a number of Senate Democrats have said 
about this issue. Here is what one of their newest Members said just a 
few weeks ago:

       I would extend them--

  Referring to tax cuts--

       for everyone.

  Here is another one from September:

       I don't think it makes sense to raise any federal taxes 
     during the uncertain economy we are struggling through.

  The first comment was from Senator Coons. The second comment was from 
Senator Lieberman.
  Another said:

       I support extending all of the expiring tax cuts until . . 
     . the nation's economy is in better shape, and perhaps 
     longer, because raising taxes in a weak economy could impair 
     recovery. Continuing all of the tax cuts could provide 
     certainty for families and businesses. . . .

  That was Senator Ben Nelson.

       I don't think they ought to be drawing a distinction at 
     $250,000.

  That was Senator Jim Webb.

       The economy is very weak right now. Raising taxes will 
     lower consumer demand at a time when we want people putting 
     more money into the economy.

  That was Senator Evan Bayh.
  Raising taxes during an economic downturn, one said, ``would be 
counterproductive.'' That was Senator Kent Conrad.
  So what is the problem? It seems to me we have solid bipartisan 
agreement on the right thing to do for the economy and for job 
creation. Who is holding it up, and what do they have against helping 
businesses and creating jobs?
  It is time to focus. We have tried the tax-and-spend route. It has 
not worked. Why don't we listen to the voters? Let's fund the 
government while reducing spending and prevent a massive tax hike on 
every American taxpayer.
  Look, we have bipartisan support for this in the Senate and 
bipartisan opposition to raising taxes on anyone. As the President said 
earlier this week, after our meeting at the White House:

       I think everybody understands that the American people want 
     us to focus on their jobs, not ours. They want us to come 
     together around strategies to accelerate the recovery and get 
     Americans back to work.

  I agree with the President. Why don't we get this done?
  Madam President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mrs. SHAHEEN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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