[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Page 9346]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           EXTENDERS PACKAGE

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I will say just a word this morning 
about the still unfinished extenders package that is about to come over 
from the House.
  The first thing to say is that Republicans are ready and willing 
right now to extend necessary benefits and to pay for them. We could 
get this done in literally no time. So any delay in passing this bill 
is coming from the other side of the aisle. I say this not to point 
fingers but because we have seen this Democratic playbook.
  We know they will try to blame Republicans for their own inability to 
come to an agreement if we don't go along with their effort to add 
another $130 billion to the deficit by the end of the week. Let me say 
that again. We know they will try to blame Republicans for their own 
inability to come to an agreement if we don't go along with their 
effort to add another $130 billion to the deficit by the end of this 
week.
  So let's be perfectly clear: There is one reason Democrats are having 
trouble getting an agreement on this bill, and one reason only. That is 
because it is so blatantly reckless.
  Europe is in the midst of what German Chancellor Angela Merkel 
describes as an existential crisis, all brought about by governments 
that spend money they don't have. Americans are watching this crisis 
play out, and they see Democrats doing the same thing here day after 
day after day. This extenders package is just the latest example, the 
latest evidence of a majority that simply is out of control.
  As early as today, we will reach a dubious milestone in America: a 
$13 trillion national debt--the first time in history we have crossed 
this frightening threshold.
  This extenders bill would add another $130 billion on top of that--
more debt in one vote than the administration claimed their health care 
bill would save over 10 years. The majority would have us add $130 
billion to the $13 trillion debt in 1 week that would eat up all the 
alleged savings from the health care bill over 10 years. This is fiscal 
recklessness, and that is why even some Democrats are starting to 
revolt.
  The time is long since past to reverse this dangerous trend, the way 
Europe has been forced to reverse the trend. But far from doing 
anything about our own looming debt crisis, Democrats only seem 
interested in making it worse.
  The true emergency here--if we are looking for one--is our national 
debt. That is the emergency. A line must be drawn somewhere. Americans 
are simply running out of patience.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.

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