Jim Nussle: “the President said in his first address to the Congress that there were three reasons why this country may have to…”

“the President said in his first address to the Congress that there were three reasons why this country may have to return to deficits: one was an emergency, one was a war, one was an economic recession. There is no one in this body who predicted any of those three. Warnings were not heeded? Wake up. There was not anybody warning about Osama bin Laden and September 11, so do not make those accusations. They are not true. That is why we find ourselves in a deficit. The President submitted a plan last year, and he will submit a plan this year, which he must do by law. The House last year passed a plan. The House will do so again this year, which we must do so by law. The other body, and I know I have to be careful, here. I do not want to say anything wrong, because we have our rules. However, my understanding is what I am allowed to say is that no budget passed in the other body last year. We will wait and see what happens this next year. The point I am getting at is that we need a plan in order to move forward. The President has proved he has a plan. The House has proved they have a plan. No other plans have been presented. No other plans have received a majority of support. No other plans have seen the light of day. Therefore, let us follow the plan that the President has laid out. Let us not allow us to get off track with absolutely no vision for the future, which is what is being suggested here tonight.”