Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the American People Act of 2008
Floor Speech
RECOVERY REBATES AND ECONOMIC STIMULUS FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ACT OF 2008 -- (Senate - February 07, 2008)
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Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, let me say to my good friend, the majority leader, we are on the verge here of an important bipartisan accomplishment. The American people looked with incredulity to a press conference a couple of weeks ago among the Speaker of the House, the House Republican leader, and the Secretary of the Treasury indicating they had reached an agreement for a stimulus package that would be timely, targeted and, as the Speaker said, temporary. We have now, after going through the legislative process here in the Senate, been able to reach an important bipartisan agreement that will be supported by the majority leader, myself, Senator Baucus, Senator Grassley, and Senator Stevens, who was the principal cosponsor of an amendment I had indicated a couple of days ago we would offer.
This is the Senate at its finest, recognizing that this was an opportunity to demonstrate to the public that we could come together, do something important for the country, and do it quickly. The legislative process is frequently time consuming, complicated, laborious, and slow, and I think we have demonstrated today, or will demonstrate shortly, when we cast this vote, that we were able to put aside our differences, not only here in the Senate but with our colleagues in the House, as well, and the administration, to make an important statement that we are concerned about the slowing of our economy and we want to do something significant about it very quickly. So I think this is a fine day, a great day for the Senate, and something we can all feel good about.
I again commend the majority leader for his spirit in working this out, and congratulate the Senate and both parties for what I think will be perceived by the American people as a significant accomplishment for our country.
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