Dana Rohrabacher: “I remember, and I think the American people remember, that last year when we Republicans tried to pass a balanced budget…”

“I remember, and I think the American people remember, that last year when we Republicans tried to pass a balanced budget amendment, we were defeated because the Democrats claimed, ``Oh, my goodness, you don't need a balanced budget amendment, you don't need to amend the Constitution, just present a balanced budget. Why do you have to amend the Constitution?'' OK, we met the challenge. The Republicans came up with a balanced budget. And the very same Democrats who voted against the balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, claiming we should just do it here legislatively, are now opposing our balanced budget. For 4 years we have heard this President claim to be a new Democrat. In fact, 4 years ago he was running on a campaign motto of being someone who was going to end welfare as we know it and would balance the budget. Now, after 4 years of rhetoric, we have come to where he cannot dodge anymore. The fact is we have laid upon the table a balanced budget. He claims to have been in favor of the balanced budget. I hope the American people remember that, too. But when the Republicans lay their alternative out, the President refuses to lay out his alternative, and that is the reason the Government is shut down today.”