SENATE—Wednesday, April 6, 2011
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5196 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 157, Pt. 4 April 6, 2011 SENATE—Wednesday, April 6, 2011 (Legislative day of Tuesday, April 5, 2011) The Senate met at 9:30 a.m., on the SCHEDULE Every time we have agreed to meet in expiration of the recess, and was called Mr. REID. Madam President, last the middle, they have moved where the to order by the Honorable KIRSTEN E. night we were finally able to arrive at middle is. They said no when we met GILLIBRAND, a Senator from the State an agreement on the small business them halfway, and now they say: It is of New York. jobs bill—or at least a way to get rid of our way or the highway. That is no way to move forward. some very important amendments that PRAYER People ask: Why is this so difficult? we will vote on around 4 o’clock this They ask: Can’t you just get it done? I The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, of- afternoon. There will be seven rollcall understand how they feel, and I share fered the following prayer: votes. their frustrations, but this is why it is Let us pray. This morning, there will be a period so tough. It is like trying to kick a Merciful Father, who put into our of morning business until 11 a.m., with field goal and the goalposts keep mov- hearts such deep desires that we can- the time until 10:40 a.m. equally di- ing. not be at peace until we rest in You, vided and controlled between the ma- The Democrats’ bottom line has not remove from our lives anything that jority and the Republicans. The major- changed. The Republicans’ bottom line would seek to separate us from You. ity will control the first half and the hasn’t stayed still. Our bottom line Lord, lead our lawmakers to make Republicans will control the final half. hasn’t changed because our priorities courageous decisions based upon con- At 10:40 a.m., Senator AYOTTE will give have not changed. We all want to lower science and duty. May they refuse to her maiden speech to the Senate. the deficit. But Democrats will not sac- do anything that threatens the long- f rifice seniors’ retirement security, term security of this Nation, as they women’s health, our children’s edu- strive to follow the right path as You BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS cation, or our Nation’s veterans. The give them the light to see it. Give them Mr. REID. Madam President, as the cuts we make have to be smart cuts, wisdom and courage for the living of deadline looms, our budget negotia- and those aren’t smart. They are rad- these days. Impart Your wisdom so tions continue nonstop. The Speaker ical. We want an agreement that is rea- they will know what to do and bestow and I met with the President yesterday sonable and responsible. Your courage so they will possess the morning, and we met with one another I wish I could say the same about resolve to act on what they believe. yesterday afternoon. As in any ongoing those on the other side of the negoti- We pray in Your sovereign Name. negotiation, the status of those talks is ating table. They forget that not one of Amen. constantly evolving, but I will give the those people led us into a recession, f Senate a snapshot of where we stand at and punishing seniors, women, chil- dren, and veterans will not lead us to a PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE this moment in time. The bottom line has always been the recovery. Their budget would cost The Honorable KIRSTEN E. GILLI- same, and it is this: We want to avoid 700,000 jobs and slow economic growth. BRAND led the Pledge of Allegiance, as a shutdown. We want to pass a budget It would take us backward, not for- follows: that makes smart cuts—cuts that save ward. That is as counterproductive as I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the money but that don’t cost jobs. This it comes. The point of this entire exer- cise is to help the economy. Democrats United States of America, and to the Repub- has been our bottom line throughout won’t stand for a budget that weakens lic for which it stands, one nation under God, this process. So we have made some indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. it. tough choices. We have made those Our bottom line—our strongest de- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The choices because we know at this late clerk will please read a communication sire to reach an agreement—hasn’t stage of the game reality is more im- changed because our willingness to to the Senate from the President pro portant than ideology. We know sac- tempore (Mr. INOUYE). compromise hasn’t changed. We long rifices are the cost of consensus, and ago accepted the reality that getting The assistant legislative clerk read we think they are worth it. Our bottom the following letter: something done means not getting 100 line hasn’t changed because our objec- percent of what we want. We long ago U.S. SENATE, tive hasn’t changed. We want to keep PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE, accepted the fact that the only way to the country running and keep the mo- reach consensus between a Democratic Washington, DC, April 6, 2011. mentum of an economic recovery that To the Senate: Senate and a Republican House is to Under the provisions of rule I, paragraph 3, is creating jobs. compromise. of the Standing Rules of the Senate, I hereby I wish I could say the same about I wish I could say the same about appoint the Honorable KIRSTEN E. GILLI- those on the other side of the negoti- those on the other side of the negoti- BRAND, a Senator from the State of New ating table. The Republicans’ bottom ating table. The Republicans have de- York, to perform the duties of the Chair. line has changed at almost every turn. manded a budget that can pass with DANIEL K. INOUYE, First, Republicans refused to negotiate only Republican votes. Instead of seek- President pro tempore. until we tried it their way. We gave the ing a bipartisan budget, they are ac- Mrs. GILLIBRAND thereupon as- reckless House-passed proposal a vote. tively seeking the opposite. sumed the chair as Acting President The Senate resoundingly rejected it. The Republican leadership has the pro tempore. Then, once talks began, Republicans tea party screaming so loudly in their f staked out their position. They asked right ear that they can’t hear what the for $73 billion in cuts. When we said: vast majority of the country demands. RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY Let’s meet in the middle, they said no. The country demands that we get this LEADER Then we said: In the interest of getting done. As I have said before, the biggest The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- this done, we will agree to your num- gap in these negotiations isn’t between pore. The majority leader is recog- ber, and they still said no. Republicans Democrats and Republicans; it is be- nized. refused to take yes for an answer. tween Republicans and Republicans. So ● This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. VerDate Mar 15 2010 08:49 Feb 27, 2014 Jkt 099102 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR11\S06AP1.000 S06AP1 pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with BOUND RECORD April 6, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 157, Pt. 4 5197 the Speaker has a choice to make and The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- lion a month in profit. It turns out it is not much time to make it. He can ei- pore. Without objection, it is so or- actually 30 months that the delay ther do what the tea party wants or dered. would take place, so that is about a $40 what the country needs. f billion postponement that the Wall Madam President, I will close with Street banks and credit card companies INTERCHANGE FEE REFORM two pieces of advice that we would be are asking for. And who pays the $40 wise to heed today, one from American Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, I billion? Merchants and retailers and history and one from ancient history. rise to speak about the issue of Wall customers all across America. That is Henry Clay served in both Houses of Street reform, which I know is near why leading consumer advocacy groups Congress, in the House and in the Sen- and dear to the Senator from New support my amendment and oppose ate. He actually held the same seat the York, who represents Wall Street. this $40 billion delay which has been Republican leader now holds. He was a I do believe what Congress achieved suggested in the amendment that is Senator from Kentucky. He also held last year on Wall Street reform was being offered. the same gavel Speaker BOEHNER now wise not only for our Nation but also to Last year, when we passed landmark holds at three different times. Henry avoid the possibility of another reces- legislation to reform the debit card Clay served as Speaker of the House, I sion. There are many financial institu- swipe fees that are enriching Wall repeat, on three separate occasions. In tions across the United States, includ- Street banks and crushing businesses his esteemed career, he earned the ing New York, but the fact is, many of and consumers on Main Street, they nickname ‘‘The Great Compromiser.’’ their practices led us into the recession started organizing to repeal.