Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting the balanced budget amendment. This much- needed constitutional amendment would finally hold Washington accountable to the same standards that every American family faces, and that is a balanced budget. I stand here in awe today listening to my colleagues from the other side of the aisle stand here and lecture about fiscal responsibility. The gentleman from Maryland, the minority leader, stood in the well and said, if you want to balance a budget, just do it. Well, the House Budget Committee did it, and do you know what? The number of Democrats who voted for it could stand on this desk in a thimble. There weren't any. When it comes to the time for fiscal responsibility and having an honest conversation about the meaningful safety net programs that our Nation depends on and values, we don't need the harsh rhetoric down there. Every single Republican and Democrat should have an honest conversation about the future of those programs and where we are, and shame on the other side for using it as a scare tactic. Without a balanced budget amendment, this body has proven, since 1974, that only four times has it had the foresight and the political courage to put forth a budget and pass appropriations bills, and it has only balanced in just a few of those. Enough of the rhetoric. It is time to come to the table and have the discussions. If you want to balance the budget, join with us.…”