On the recordJune 1, 2011
I just wanted to say that this is a serious topic that we are talking about here today, the Homeland Security appropriations bill. When you pass a responsible budget, as we did here in the House, you've got to make tough choices. I learned here as a freshman that we do these 10-year budget plans, but only year one matters because then the next Congress comes back and does year two and year three and year four. So the only serious decisions that we are making in this budget is what happens in year one, and that's the Homeland Security appropriations bill that is before us here today. How are we going to fund Homeland Security for year one? And we are down here talking about all of these ancillary issues; and I tell you, this one's important. This one's important. This one's happening. This isn't smoke and mirrors 10 years down the road. This is happening today. The Appropriations Committee has worked long and hard to craft the best delicate balance that they could. Mr. Speaker, 42 cents out of every dollar we're borrowing. Folks talk about we don't have any money. That's not a state of mind; that's a fact. {time} 1420 It's a fact. And we cannot afford to shortchange the work that we're doing on the Homeland Security appropriations bill on these--I can't think of a kind word to say. I'm not going to say anything at all, Mr. Speaker.
