I voted for this amendment because it would extend several very important middle-class tax cuts, like extension of the 10 percent tax bracket, the $1,000 child tax credit, and marriage penalty tax relief. It passed 99-1.
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Floor Journal: S.Con.Res. 70,
The FY2009 Concurrent Budget Resolution
During the debate of key legislation in the Senate, I maintain a journal here on my website to help keep you informed about important developments.
The first vote on this legislation is scheduled on Tuesday, March 11th followed by several subsequent votes throughout the week. I expect to post the first entry in my Budget Floor Journal right around the time of that first vote on March 11.
I hope you will return throughout the week to follow the debate and action on this vitally important legislation.
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Mar 13 Thursday |
Vote on Baucus Amendment # 4160
Vote on Graham Amendment #4170
I voted for this amendment because it would extend the rest of the Bush tax cuts, including lower rates on capital gains and dividends, and lower rates on all other tax brackets. It failed 47-52.
Vote on Bingaman Amendment # 4173
I supported this amendment because it provides additional vital funding for innovation and education investment to keep our country globally competitive. The Senate approved this amendment by voice vote.
Vote on Conrad Amendment # 4190 and Specter #4189
I voted against the Conrad amendment because it would require tax relief from the Alternative Minimum Tax to be offset with increased taxes. I cosponsored and voted for the Specter amendment because it would eliminate the Clinton AMT tax increase, restoring the 28 percent tax to 24 percent. This is the first step to bringing permanent relief from the AMT. Unfortunately, the Senate approved only the Conrad amendment 53-46 and rejected the Specter amendment 49-51.
Vote on Salazar Amendment #4196 and Kyl Amendment #4191
These two amendments proposed to reform the death tax by capping the maximum tax rate and creating higher exemptions. However, the Salazar amendment followed the same Democratic pattern of lowering taxes for one group of taxpayers while raising taxes for another. Therefore, I voted against the Salazar amendment and for the Kyl amendment; neither of these amendments passed.
Vote on Conrad Amendment #4204 and Bunning Amendment #4192
These amendments would repeal the 1993 Social Security tax increase, however, the Conrad amendment would be paid for by tax increases elsewhere and the Bunning amendment would not be offset. I voted against the Conrad amendment and for the Bunning amendment. The Senate adopted Conrad's amendment, but not Bunning's.
Vote on Specter Amendment #4203
I voted for the Specter amendment to increase funding for both the National Institute of Health and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The Senate approved the amendment 95-4.
Vote on Dorgan Amendment #4198
This amendment proposed a $1 billion increase in funding for the Indian Health Service, which would have been paid for with across-the-board reductions in spending. There is no doubt the Indian Health Service is in need of significant reform. However, I opposed this amendment because a simple increase in funding will not solve the program's problems. Nevertheless, the Senate adopted the Dorgan amendment.
Vote on Nelson Amendment #4329 and Alexander Amendment #4207
These amendments provide incentives for using clean energy. I voted against the Nelson amendment, which restricts our energy supply by precluding energy exploration in the outer Continental Shelf off the coast of Florida. Instead, I voted for the Alexander amendment, which would have provided the same incentives but would help decrease our dependence on expensive foreign oil by specifically allowing domestic oil production throughout the country. Unfortunately, the Senate rejected the Alexander amendment 47-51 and adopted the Nelson amendment 56-43.
Vote on Kennedy Amendment #4350 and Alexander Amendment #4222
Both of these amendments promote the use of the English language in our nation. The Kennedy amendment provides additional funding for English literacy programs, while the Alexander amendment protects employers who require their employees to speak English from lawsuits. I supported both amendments, and I was pleased that the Senate adopted both.
Vote on Menendez Amendment #4259 and Sessions Amendment #4231
These amendments addressed funding for border security and enforcement. The Menendez amendment provides general enhancements in our border security, including stiffer penalties for employers who hire illegal immigrants. The Sessions amendment further shores up security on our borders with additional training for local law enforcement agents and the deployment of up to 6,000 members of the National Guard to help patrol the border. I was pleased to vote for both amendments, which passed 53-45 and 61-37, respectively.
Vote on Cornyn Amendment #4242
I supported this amendment that would have required 60 votes to pass any legislation that increased income taxes. Unfortunately, the Senate rejected this amendment.
Vote on Allard Amendment #4246
This amendment would have raised taxes by $1.4 trillion to fully fund 111 new or expanded federal spending programs. I strongly oppose a tax increase of this magnitude, and I voted against this amendment. However, this amendment was an important reminder that Democrats' plan to expand the federal government inevitably carries an unacceptable cost for U.S. taxpayers.
Vote on Ensign Amendment #4240
This amendment would have required wealthy Medicare beneficiaries to pay higher Medicare part D premiums. Medicare part D is already less costly to the government than originally anticipated. However, I supported this amendment because it would have been a common- sense way to reduce those costs even further. Unfortunately, the Senate defeated the amendment 42-56.
Vote on Sanders Amendment #4218
I voted against this amendment that raises taxes on individuals making over $1 million and vastly increases government spending. The amendment failed 43-55.
Vote on DeMint Amendment #4328
This amendment would have created a reserve fund that allowed the Finance Committee to move forward with legislation prohibiting Congress from raiding the Social Security trust fund. I have long supported putting the Social Security trust fund in a "lock box," and this measure would have been a good first step. Although I voted for the amendment, it was defeated 40-58.
Vote on Allard Amendment #4232 and Brownback Amendment #4284
Both of these amendments promote better accountability for how the government spends tax dollars. It's no secret that the federal government is replete with wasteful spending, and these amendments will help our country save taxpayer dollars in the short- and long-run. The Allard amendment cuts funding for government programs that have been rated ineffective by the Office of Management and Budget, which can save up to $750 million next year. The Brownback amendment sets aside $25 million over 5 years to establish a Commission on Budgetary Accountability and Review of Federal Agencies. I voted for both of these amendments. The Senate defeated the Allard amendment 29-68 but approved the Brownback amendment 49-48.
Vote on Kohl Amendment #4197
This amendment extends a pilot program to run background checks on employees who work with patients in long-term care facilities. I voted for the amendment, and it passed 89-7.
Vote on Vitter Amendment #4309
I supported this amendment, which would have precluded COPS funding for “sanctuary cities” that ignore immigration laws. Unfortunately, the amendment failed on a procedural vote.
Vote on Boxer Amendment #4368
I joined the Senate in approving this amendment 90-5 to increase funding for the Department of Justice by $50 million to better enforce child protection laws.
Vote on Ensign Amendment #4335
This amendment would have increased funding for the DOJ by $50 million to enforce parental notification laws. Despite my support for the amendment, it narrowly failed by a vote of 49-49.
Vote on DeMint Amendment #4340
I supported this amendment to require 60 votes on any legislation that increases the price of gasoline. Unfortunately, even in a time where Americans face record-high fuel prices, the Senate defeated this amendment on a procedural vote.
Vote on Cornyn Amendment #4313
During the time that Democrats have held the majority, they have insisted on using the “pay-as-you-go” (PAYGO) rule to require offsets whenever Congress has considered spending bills or tax provisions. I have long maintained that PAYGO is an ineffective tool in combating out-of-control government spending because it does nothing to actually rein in wasteful programs. What’s more, Democrats have repeatedly broken their own rules by waiving PAYGO to push their own expansive spending priorities. This amendment would have changed that tactic by requiring all 100 Senators to consent to waiving PAYGO. The Senate voted to defeat the amendment 27-71.
Vote on Kyl Amendment #4348
This amendment would have extended a number of tax credits including those for research and development, combat pay exclusion for our soldiers in the field, the education deduction to make colleges more affordable, and alternative energy incentives to make the environment cleaner through the end of 2009. I voted to continue these important tax benefits; however, the amendment failed 49-50.
Vote on DeMint Amendment #4347
This highly controversial amendment would have put a moratorium on Congressional “earmarks” for fiscal year 2009; however, it does nothing to reign in wasteful spending. Eliminating congressionally-directed spending items, or earmarks, will transfer Congress' constitutional authority to direct spending to federal agencies. I believe decisions regarding taxpayer dollars should be made by elected officials who are accountable to taxpayers and who understand their States' unique needs, rather than bureaucrats in Washington. I further opposed this amendment because it does nothing to fix the problem with earmarks, which is lack of accountability and transparency. I have always advocated for increased transparency and have listed every earmark I have ever received on my website. The best solution to curb runaway spending is to cap overall government spending and reform our entitlement programs, which the DeMint amendment does not do. For those reasons, I opposed the DeMint amendment, and it was defeated 29-71.
Vote on Landrieu Amendment #4378 and Kyl Amendment #4372
These amendments both addressed reform of the death tax by providing a $5 million exemption and capping tax rates at 35%. The Kyl amendment, which I supported, would have accomplished this outright. On the other hand, the Landrieu amendment would have “paid for” the reform by eliminating certain corporate tax benefits—a burden I could not support in a tightening economy. In the end, the Senate rejected the Landrieu amendment 23-77 and the Kyl amendment 47-51.
Vote on Grassley Amendment #4276
Last year, Congress rightly voted to extend an AMT exemption for millions of Americans without making it subject to Democrats’ PAYGO rules. This amendment would have continued that policy by allowing Congress to reform the AMT without having to raise taxes elsewhere in order to meet PAYGO requirements. Unfortunately, the amendment failed 47-51. |