Mike Pence: “Federal spending in recent years has been growing, particularly in the wake of our national emergency on September 11…”

“Federal spending in recent years has been growing, particularly in the wake of our national emergency on September 11, at a record-breaking pace. The Congressional Budget Office projects that current policies could produce a cumulative deficit of nearly $2 trillion for the 10 years that lie immediately ahead of us. Federal spending breaks down today to a burden of more than $20,000 per household, the highest since World War II, and yesterday's report by the Social Security and Medicare board of trustees was disconcerting, to say the least, about the long-term obligations that this government faces. Many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle know that I have taken some strong stands in recent days to confront my concern for runaway Federal spending, but it is with equal conviction that I rise today to endorse and support the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2005. The good news today in this budget is that Republicans in Congress are taking an important first step under the leadership of the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Nussle) and under the leadership of our Speaker, our majority leader, and the balance of the majority of this Congress to right the fiscal ship that has been listing in the direction of government spending. We are truly taking an important first step in this budget to put our fiscal house in order; and I, as a conservative Member of this Congress, rise to extol its virtues. This budget holds the line on spending.”