Jeff Miller: “today begins dramatic change in how Government operates. For the first time in decades, we will start talking straight…”

“today begins dramatic change in how Government operates. For the first time in decades, we will start talking straight with the American people about the Federal budget. Every American family who must meet a budget understands that an increase in spending means you spent more money than last year. Not so here in Washington. Back in 1974 the Congress decided to adopt baseline budgeting--an arcane concept that allowed Government to grow on auto-pilot for two decades. Here in Washington an increase in Federal spending is considered a cut in spending unless it exceeds the estimated increase in cost. That's like the perennially overweight man who figures he'll gain 30 pounds this year--and when it turns out he only gained 10 he announces he's lost 20 pounds. But today, Mr. Speaker, all that deception stops. From now on, an increase in spending will be called an increase in spending. If we spend $1.4 trillion this year and plan to spend $1.5 trillion next year, we'll call that exactly what is--a $100-billion increase in spending. Sounds simple, but here in Washington it is revolutionary.”