[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 11358]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        COMMENDING THE GANG OF 6

  Mr. KIRK. Mr. President, I rise briefly to commend the work of the 
Gang of 6 and what they have done for our country in what is a 
complicated proposal with details forthcoming but largely reflecting 
the actions of the bipartisan deficit commission and what could be 
between a $3.5 trillion and $4.5 trillion reduction in the borrowing 
needs of the United States.
  Specifically, so often we do not thank our colleagues here, but I 
want to thank especially Senator Coburn, Senator Crapo, and Senator 
Chambliss on the Republican side, Senator Warner, Senator Conrad, and 
Senator Durbin on the Democratic side, because I think they are 
creating a vital center on what is the most important issue facing the 
country. I believe the outlines of the plan, as I understand it 
tonight, will dramatically reassure the American people, our markets, 
and especially our allies overseas that a free people and their elected 
representatives can kick their spending habit over time.
  At the meeting this morning we had 43 Senators attending, 23 
Republicans and 20 Democrats. In this age of very complicated and tight 
schedules, that is a mass meeting of the Senate.
  I conclude by saying this may be the rise of the policy wonks as 
opposed to partisans of either side, to actually address the solid 
details of what is the most difficult financial problem facing the 
country. I commend the work of these three Republicans and these three 
Democrats in creating a space now where at least 43 Senators attended 
the meeting on the most creative and most detailed plan I have yet seen 
come forward to take on this problem.
  We all know under our Constitution that the Senate may be the most 
difficult place to pass legislation. To see even this initiative coming 
out of the Senate gives me tremendous optimism that one of the most 
difficult problems in our country can be handled by some of the most 
capable policy wonk Members of the Senate.
  With that, as we begin a discussion on the Gang of 6 proposal, I want 
to take a moment to personally thank these six Senators and what they 
have done in putting together what appears to be an initial outline of, 
not just a very good proposal but in several key areas as a fiscal 
conservative, an even better proposal than the bipartisan commission 
put forward.
  I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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