Priorities During Lameduck Session

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, both Republicans and Democrats in the Senate held many meetings this week to assess the priorities of our respective conferences.

I am extremely proud of the clarity my Republican colleagues have used to express what our priorities must be and that we have listened to the American people. Last night, Republicans expressed the need to cut spending, reduce the debt, shrink the size and scope of the Federal Government, and help spur private sector employment--in short, change the way Washington is doing business to get our economy going again.

There is no question that is a sentiment shared by the American people. I would be remiss if I did not also express some dismay with the priorities that are being put forward on the other side of the aisle.

This is a lameduck session, and they have an opportunity to respond to the American people before we convene for the 112th Congress, but there is no reason why we cannot get to work on their behalf beginning today.

Let me share with you what I believe our priorities need to be during the lameduck session: first and foremost, preventing massive tax increases on families and small businesses and stopping the Washington spending spree. It is critical we send a message to job creators that Congress will not raise taxes on January 1.

In September, I offered a bill that would make the current tax rates permanent. In other words, nobody--nobody--in America would get a tax hike at the end of the year. The White House did not like that idea. Their preference was to raise taxes on small businesses. I think it is safe to say the American people clearly preferred our proposal: no tax hikes on anybody, especially in the middle of a recession. We should be creating jobs, not killing them.

It is my hope that starting today Democrats will turn to the priorities that reflect the wishes of the American people. If they choose that route, I know Republicans will be happy to work with them to get those things accomplished. If not, I am confident Republicans will be eager to chart a different course on behalf of the American people.

When we return from the Thanksgiving break, Republican and Democratic leaders will have an opportunity to discuss these priorities with the President in a meeting at the White House. I am looking forward to the meeting and to the opportunity to share with the President again the areas where we agree. I believe we can work together to increase opportunities for job growth here at home through increased trade opportunities abroad. I agree with the President that we should increase our exploration for clean coal technology and nuclear energy, and Americans feel strongly that we need to reduce spending and our national debt.

We can work together on all those items, and the White House meeting is a good opportunity for congressional Democrats to join us in those efforts.

I yield the floor.

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