Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023

Floor Speech

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Mr. WYDEN. Madam President, I oppose the gentleman's amendment, and Senate Democrats will keep this Chamber on time.

There are three important reasons to vote against this amendment. First, it would be an even bigger Republican handout to wealthy tax cheats--nearly $200 billion. Second, at a time when Congress is supposed to be debating fiscal responsibility, this amendment double counts billions and billions of dollars by increasing the deficit with more spending on defense contractors and bigger handouts to wealthy tax cheats.

Finally, this Senate should focus on better service to taxpayers, improved information technology, and ending the free ride once and for all for wealthy tax cheats.

I urge colleagues to oppose the amendment. Vote on Amendment No. 125

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Mr. WYDEN. Madam President, I rise in opposition.

The bipartisan package importantly negotiated between Speaker McCarthy and President Biden, in fact, makes specific rescissions to unused COVID funds while protecting important funding for programs that are still necessary to support our community.

This amendment, colleagues, goes beyond the McCarthy-Biden agreement. This amendment would take an ax to nearly all of the funding in the Recovery Act and several other COVID bills, even if the communities are still depending or planning on using that money.

Blue States or red States, pass this amendment and you risk default. I strongly urge a vote against this amendment. Vote on Amendment No. 134

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