ms. ayotte: i thank you very much. ms. mikulski: mr. president, i do want to rise and support the bill that is offered as our democratic alternative. it is a balanced solution to prevent a dysfunctional, disruptive, across-the-board spending cuts called sequester. sequester is a washington word and a washington invention that will -- that we came up during the budget crisis debacle on august of 2011 that we would cut $1 trillion over ten years, $110 billion at a time. it was supposed to be resolved through the super committee. it didn't happen. it was supposed to be resolved through the fiscal cliff all the way up to new year's eve. what happened? we punted. we delayed two months. and so here we are. so while we're facing the draconian implications of it, we do have an answer. and what that answer is composed of is a balanced approach where we look at increased revenue and strategic cuts that will not cripple our economy nor weaken america's strength here or abroad.

ms. ayotte, will now read washington's farewell address. ms. ayotte: to the people of the united states. friends and fellow citizens: the period for a new election of a citizen to administer the executive government of the united states being not far distant, and the time actually arrived when your thoughts must be employed in designating the person who is to be clothed with that important trust, it appears to me proper, especially as it may conduce to a more distinct expression of the public voice, that i should now apprise you of the resolution i have formed to decline being considered among the number of those out of whom a choice is to be made. i beg you, at the same time, to do me the justice to be assured that this resolution has not been taken without a strict regard to all the considerations appertaining to the relation which binds a dutiful citizen to his country; and that in withdrawing the tender of service, which silence in my situation might imply, i am influenced by no diminution of zeal for your future interest, no deficiency of g