[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 16835]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            FISCAL AGREEMENT

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I said that the Senate would take up 
the fiscal agreement after the House acted, and we are. This agreement 
isn't perfect. I share some concerns other colleagues have raised. But 
here is the bottom line. This is a fully offset agreement that rejects 
tax hikes, secures long-term savings through entitlement reforms, and 
provides increased support for our military. All this is at a time when 
we confront threats in multiple theaters.
  Each of these items was a Republican goal heading into the 
negotiation. Each of these items was achieved in the agreement before 
us. I am encouraged that it would enact the most significant reform to 
Social Security since 1983, resulting in $168 billion in long-term 
savings. I am encouraged that it would repeal more of ObamaCare. I am 
encouraged that it would help provide resources our troops so 
desperately need in an era of diverse and very challenging global 
threats--when we see ISIL consolidating gains in Iraq and Syria; when 
we see the forces of Assad marching alongside Iranian soldiers and 
Hezbollah militias, supported by Russian aircraft overhead.
  Colleagues know that I will respect whatever choice they ultimately 
make when this agreement comes up for a vote. There are valid 
differences of opinion, and that is OK. But I ask every colleague to 
also consider what this fully offset agreement would mean for the men 
and women who voluntarily put themselves in harm's way so that we may 
live free.
  Commanders tell us that additional resources are required--required 
to ensure their safety and preparedness. This fully offset agreement 
would help provide them--along with enacting the most significant 
Social Security reform in over three decades, along with repealing 
another piece of ObamaCare, and along with refusing to raise taxes by a 
penny. I hope Senators will join me in voting for it.

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