Nancy L. Johnson: “I would just like to put the debate on this final spending bill in context. The President brought us what he called a…”

“I would just like to put the debate on this final spending bill in context. The President brought us what he called a balanced budget proposal. It was balanced, but it increased spending dramatically; and it funded it, and this is why it was balanced, it funded it by raising taxes $160 billion on the American people at a time when taxes are higher than they have ever been with the exception of 1 year during World War II. Mr. Speaker, we put his budget on the floor, and we did not support it, and most of my colleagues did not support it on the other side of the aisle. Recently the President suggested that we close the gap between what we need to fund next year's services and the money available by raising taxes $20 billion. Well, we brought that proposal to the floor. The Republicans opposed that increase in taxes; and, as I recall, everyone of the Democrats did too. So, do not just talk. Be part of the action. What we are doing here today is finding a way to adjust our expenditures so that we can do the things the American people need.”