Political Quotes

On the recordMarch 11, 2011
Hundreds of times since I took the oath of office just a few weeks ago, I've heard references to "kicking the can down the road." This kicking of the can, the "can" being the deficit and the debt, has come to the end of that road. In fact, we have used this term so many times, America has a chronic case of turf toe. Washington is in a state of denial. We continue to give away taxpayer dollars--correction, borrowed dollars--to people who can't afford to pay it back. Our friends from the other side want you to believe that we don't have a heart, that we're insensitive to the plight of those who are struggling because they've lost jobs and can't afford their mortgages. Well, let me tell you what Americans understand. Americans understand that we cannot continue to live in this irresponsible way--giving away borrowed money, program after program, knowing that it's going down a rat hole. Just another kick at the proverbial can. If you can't cut an expensive, irresponsible program like this one, then what can you cut? Look, we're all about job creation. Job creation is the preferred way to deliver us from this financial plight that we happen to be in. But the problem with job creation right now is that there is a dark, dark cloud hanging over America as we know it with a huge deficit, a record deficit, and a mounting debt, a debt so large that very soon in this very Chamber we'll be taking up the issue of a debt ceiling increase.
Said by
Steve Womack
Republican · Arkansas

Editor's note · Context

The speaker addresses the issue of the national deficit and the irresponsible spending of borrowed money.

Share

More from Steve Womack

Nov 8, 2023

My thanks to the minority side for giving me an opportunity to speak. I rise in opposition to the gentleman from Florida's amendment. We are not always going to hate the FBI. I realize there are people on my side of the aisle that don't…

govinfo.gov
Apr 9, 2024

I personally think it is the secret sauce in readiness that be gets our warfighters prepared and ready to fight and win.

congress.gov
Nov 2, 2023

I thank the gentlewoman from Texas for her leadership on this issue. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of our friends in Israel. I thank the chairwoman and my friend, Ms. Granger, for bringing this vital legislation to the floor, for…

govinfo.gov
Oct 20, 2023

Pro tempore, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today it adjourn to meet at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, October 24, 2023. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Arkansas? There was no…

govinfo.gov

Other voices in this conversation