Washington - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) released the following statement after the cloture vote to proceed to consideration of the "Close Big Oil Tax Loopholes Act", which garnered a majority vote in the Senate (52-48). Unfortunately, it did not garner the 60 votes needed to overcome the Republican filibuster. Only 2 Republican Senators voted in support of considering the legislation. Below is a video of Menendez's closing remarks on the Senate floor as prepared for delivery.

"A bipartisan majority of the Senate has spoken. If we are going to reach a deal on raising the debt ceiling, cutting wasteful oil subsidies needs to be on the table. We cannot reduce the deficits on the backs of working class Americans alone. Even the most wealthy and powerful among us must pay their fair share."

Video Menendez's closing remarks on the Senate Floor: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHAsn-t64mM

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