Jim Nussle: “several months ago, we approved the fiscal year 2006 budget resolution. In that budget, the Republicans and Congress…”

“several months ago, we approved the fiscal year 2006 budget resolution. In that budget, the Republicans and Congress laid out our plan, which is based on our fundamental principles to promote economic growth, create jobs, and control government spending. It is part of an overall plan. Today we stand at what is a critical juncture in implementing that plan and making it a reality. The Deficit Reduction Act starts the process of adopting the real policies and the real reforms that make these massive entitlement programs more effective, more efficient, and less costly. I expect, as we have already seen, that this is going to be a very vigorous and even sometimes contentious debate. I welcome that. I think we should all welcome that. I think that is what this Chamber is really for. It is what our constituents sent us here to do, to set the priorities, to come up with a solid plan, to do the real work, even if it is difficult, even if it is a challenge, even if you have to fight for it, even if you have to make a debate and a speech and everything else in order to get it done. The point is, we have got to work on this plan and see it through. This is far from the first day that we have been on the floor or worked in committees in order to get this done. Mr. Speaker, for the past three budget years, we have been working on this plan to get the economy going, to create jobs, to control spending, and to actually reduce the deficit. I would like to review our plan.…”