Jerry Brown: “I rise to offer an alternative to H.R. 2405, which will hopefully bring our Nation's research and development back into…”

“I rise to offer an alternative to H.R. 2405, which will hopefully bring our Nation's research and development back into line with the reality that is facing us over the next several decades. That is, we must balance the budget while preserving the wise investments that will generate economic growth and offer a better world for our children. Since the beginning of this year, the American people have been offered two vastly different alternative visions regarding the future direction we will take in Federal research and development. I want to take a few minutes to summarize this important debate. At the outset, let me stress that there is little or no difference between Republicans and Democrats or between the Congress and the President over the need and the importance of balancing the budget. All have accepted this as a staring point in the debate. The difference has to do with how quickly we can do so without harming rather than stimulating the economy, and which areas we can cut and still deliver the benefits that middle class America wants from their government.”