Todd Tiahrt: “I think each one of us have furloughed Federal workers in our districts. I have 1,038 in my district. However, 940 of…”

“I think each one of us have furloughed Federal workers in our districts. I have 1,038 in my district. However, 940 of them would be working had the President not vetoed legislation that would have funded their departments. On November 20, as was said earlier, the President signed a continuing resolution that said he would come up with a balanced budget by the end of this year, by the end of the first Session of the 104th Congress, which was December 31, but he failed to do so. I have to admit I am very frustrated. I think we here in Congress are very frustrated. What does it take for the President to keep his word? Would one more CR do it? Should we just go out on the limb and extend another 10 days and open up this Government? It seems like every time we come up with a continuing resolution, the President backs away from the negotiating table. The only way that we can keep him at the negotiations table is to continue on our current course. However uncomfortable it may be, however painful it may be, we are going to have to do it. It is the only option that we have left. The President said that he would balance the budget. We said we would do it. we are going to keep to our word. Mr. President, please keep to yours.”