Commerce, Justice, Science, And Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010

Floor Speech

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Mr. McCONNELL. My good friend, the majority leader, left out one thing, which is this is the second time he has done what is called filling the tree. What that means to the constituents we represent on this side of the aisle is, we got to offer no amendments, no amendments whatsoever, to this bill. This is the second time and the 27th time the majority leader has filled the tree, thereby denying to the minority an opportunity to offer any amendments at all.

We can argue, I guess, about the relative merits of this bill. What we do know for sure is that $47 billion of it is not paid for. So it adds that much additional money to the deficit. We also note, for sure, the one kind of jobs this administration has been able to produce is government jobs.

As a result of the spending binge we have been on for the last year, we have added 120,000 government jobs. In America, if you work for the government, you make an average of $70,000 a year. If you work in the private sector, you make an average of $40,000 a year. We have had a job boon all right--with the government. Of course, the stimulus package principally benefitted State governments, which were very happy to have the money so they did not have to pare back their employment.

So we are interested in talking about jobs all right, but health care is what the majority has been trying to ram through the Congress over the last year. It is the big issue this week. I am sure Members on my side of the aisle who will speak tonight will indeed talk about jobs, but we also fully intend to talk about the health care bill that will be voted on over in the House that cuts Medicare by $ 1/2 trillion, that raises $ 1/2 trillion in new taxes, and is replete with special deals. We now understand the fix-it bill--the second bill that will come after the health care bill--will not fix all the special deals; maybe only one of the special deals. So we will have on opportunity----

Mr. DURBIN. Would the Senator yield for a question?

Mr. McCONNELL. I believe I have the floor.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Republican leader has the floor.

Mr. McCONNELL. We will have an opportunity to discuss all these things, and what I would suggest to the majority leader, if he wants to maximize the time, we could simply agree to vote on this bill at 9 a.m. on Wednesday and then go back to the FAA bill, upon which we have made substantial progress. That would be another way to advance the ball, which I would suggest.

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Mr. McCONNELL. As you can see, we are all in the mood for a spirited debate, and I know the junior Senator from Florida is on the floor and anxious to begin the discussion.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader is recognized.

Mr. REID. Before my friend leaves, if I could just say this. I think we could probably accomplish what we both should want by saying: OK, let's vote at a reasonable time Wednesday morning on this jobs bill, but in the meantime--in the meantime, all day tomorrow--let's work on the FAA bill. That way we would accomplish two very important things.

I would hope my friend would consider that. That way we could not only have a time certain where we are going to pass this bill--the HIRE bill--but we could also work on FAA. We have Senators waiting to do work on the FAA bill.

Mr. DORGAN. Would the Senator from Nevada yield?

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Republican leader is recognized.

Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, if I could respond to the majority leader's suggestion, it may very well be worth talking about. As I understand the suggestion, it is that we lock in a time for a vote certain, such as the one I suggested, at 9 a.m. on this bill, and we resume consideration of the FAA bill between now--tomorrow--and then.

Mr. REID. I think that is very appropriate. During that period of time, people can offer amendments or, if they feel so inclined--

Mr. McCONNELL. I think that is a matter worth talking about. Why don't we put in a quorum call and have that discussion.

Mr. REID. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

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