The real problem today lies with exploding and unsustainable mandatory and entitlement spending, which the Budget Committee should be addressing forthwith. Mandatory spending comprises two-thirds of the Federal budget. We only deal with a third on discretionary--most of that military--and it continues to blow up the Nation's deficit and debt at these rapid rates, putting our economy and the stability of our Nation at risk. I urge my colleagues to look beyond the opportunity for the easy press release in order to see that the line-item veto does more harm than good. We can't dismiss the fundamental tenets of the Constitution, and we can't pretend that it will have any positive effect on the Nation's financial predicament. We must put an end to these budgetary smoke screens to find more appropriate and effective ways to address our budget crisis and focus our efforts on mandatory entitlement spending, which is where the real problem is.
Share & report
More from Hal Rogers
Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment. This en bloc amendment contains several measures that could have enjoyed broad support. Unfortunately, it also includes several amendments that some on our side are unable to accept…
Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, despite his laudable efforts to complete all fiscal year 2018 House bills on time, the perpetual stalemate on unrelated matters left us with this undesirable choice of…
Mr. Speaker, I thank my esteemed colleagues, full committee Chairwoman Lowey, and Ranking Member Granger. This six-bill appropriations package represents a lot of hard work for many of us on the Appropriations Committee. Broadly speaking…
Mr. Chairman, we have no objection to this amendment. The amendment deals with issues under the jurisdiction of the United States International Boundary and Water Commission, which is one of several such commissions funded under this act…





