On the recordJuly 21, 2011
I wish to speak on behalf of the resolution before us--the so-called cut, cap, and balance resolution--and explain briefly why it represents a better approach to resolving the financial crisis our country is faced with than the alternative, which seems to be myopically focused on raising taxes, as if our problem in this country were taxes. Our problem is spending. That is why the reference to cutting spending, capping future spending, and ensuring that we never go back to our errant ways by passing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, which would forever prevent us from getting into the same position we are in now where we have to keep coming back to increase the Nation's debt ceiling. That is why the emphasis on spending. Some of our friends on the other side of the aisle, and certainly the President of the United States, say: I will not agree to anything unless you raise taxes. Why are Republicans so opposed to the President's approach? Why are we focused on reducing spending rather than raising taxes? Why is it important? First of all, because spending is the problem, not taxes. Spending in this country, under President Obama, has gone from the historic level of about 20 percent of our gross domestic product to now 25 percent in just 3 short years. That is a historic growth in spending. We have never been this high.…





