[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Pages 23530-23531]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         BUDGET RECONCILIATION

  Mr. DeMINT. Mr. President, these are serious and difficult times for 
our country and for many Americans. These are times that demand bold 
and immediate action. The American people do not want any more excuses. 
They do not want to hear Congressmen and Senators arguing about who is 
to blame, and they are not impressed by those who constantly criticize 
the proposals of others but never make any proposals of their own.
  Energy prices are too high, and we have heard enough excuses about 
why America cannot develop our own oil and gas reserves, build more 
refineries, and develop more alternative fuels to make us more 
independent of Middle East oil.
  Health care and health insurance are too expensive, and we have heard 
enough excuses about why individuals cannot buy health insurance from 
anywhere in the country and get the same tax breaks as businesses.
  Illegal immigration is out of control, and we have heard enough 
excuses about why we cannot control our borders.

[[Page 23531]]

  Social Security is going broke, and we have heard enough excuses why 
Congress should continue to spend trillions of dollars of Social 
Security taxes on other Government programs.
  We need action now, but we cannot solve these difficult problems that 
face us if we do not have a strong economy and a more efficient 
Government. House and Senate Republicans are developing budget 
reconciliation legislation now that will accomplish these goals to 
strengthen our economy, create jobs, and cut the cost of the Federal 
Government.
  This package has two parts. The first part is to stop the scheduled 
tax increases that will soon add new burdens to our citizens and the 
businesses that pay their salaries. We must not allow new tax increases 
to steal our jobs and weaken our country at a time when we need all of 
our economic strength to solve the problems of today and to create new 
opportunities for the future.
  The 2003 jobs and growth plan passed by Congress and signed by the 
President lowered taxes for capital gains and dividends, and it 
resulted in greater economic growth. Our economy has grown more than 4 
percent a year since 2003, much faster than in the prior 2 years. Over 
4 million jobs have been created since 2003, and 7 million seniors 
saved an average of over $1200 on their 2004 taxes. And while tax rates 
have fallen, tax revenues have been increasing. In fact, as a result of 
a growing economy, Federal tax receipts grew this year by over $270 
billion--$100 billion more than the Congressional Budget Office 
estimated earlier this year. If Congress does not pass this important 
budget reconciliation legislation this year, taxes will go up and 
economic growth will go down.
  During uncertain times, Americans want stability. And that is why 
Congress must act now to bring certainty to America's families and stop 
the scheduled tax increases.
  The second part of the Republican budget reconciliation package is to 
cut Government waste and reduce Federal spending. There are many 
wasteful practices of Government. We have all heard the stories like 
the dentist who overbilled Medicaid, claiming to perform as many as 991 
procedures a day during a 12-month period.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The time under the control of the majority for 
morning business has expired.
  Mr. LEAHY addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Vermont.
  Mr. DeMINT. Could I ask unanimous consent?
  Mr. LEAHY. Does the Senator want to ask for further time?
  Mr. DeMINT. Yes, if I could have a couple more minutes. I ask 
unanimous consent for 2 more minutes.
  Mr. LEAHY. Provided it will not come out of our time, I have no 
objection.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. DeMINT. I thank the Senator. I thank the Chair.
  Examples like the Medicaid one I just mentioned are maddening. We 
must stop this wasteful spending, and we also must slow the growth of 
new spending. If we slow the growth of new spending only, we can save 
much of the money we need to help our States recover from this year's 
devastating hurricanes. There is no problem too big for America to 
solve if we have the commitment and the strength to do it. Mr. 
President, the time for criticism, excuses, and obstruction is over. I 
am here this morning to appeal to every Senator to support our budget 
reconciliation package that will stop new tax increases and help cut 
the cost of Government so we have all the strength we need to secure 
the future for every American.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Vermont is recognized.
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, what is the parliamentary situation?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The minority controls 15 minutes which is 
beginning now.
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that we make that 
21 minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? The Chair hears none, and 
it is so ordered.

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