Porter Goss: “I know that Americans are very frustrated with the twists and turns the balanced budget debate has taken in these past…”

“I know that Americans are very frustrated with the twists and turns the balanced budget debate has taken in these past weeks, and I know that there have been very real sacrifices out there made by some Federal employees, their families, some entrepreneurs whose livelihood depends on the operation of the Federal agencies that are currently impacted, and some inconvenience to citizens and tourists alike who want to use facilities. I think that the bill that this rule makes in order will largely address these problems and ensure appropriate Government services are provided, a quick response that was asked for earlier today on this floor by Members of the other party. We all wish for a speedy resolution of the specific impasse that we have here so that we can get back to the work and concentrate on the main effort. The main effort is to get the President of the United States on a glidepath toward a true, 7-year balanced budget and a more efficient, less intrusive Federal Government. Along with that wish goes the resolve that many of us feel, the moral imperative; and it is a moral imperative noted by Americans across the country, not, repeat not, to squander this opportunity to bring balance to our budget for the first time in three decades and to get our spending under control.”