On the recordApril 1, 2011
I thank the gentleman from Georgia. Madam Speaker, when I was first elected, I declined my health care benefits because I don't believe we can fix a system we were not a part of. I declined my retirement benefits because our Social Security system is broken. I support this bill because if the American people have to endure a government shutdown which is the result of a failure of the Senate Democrats, then none of us, including the President, should expect the American people to continue our pay until we fix this budget mess. The funding for the Federal Government is 182 days old. Democrats on the Senate have failed to pass a budget for 182 days--182 days. That's an entire school year. I ask my colleagues on the other side of the aisle: What would you think if your child's teacher did nothing for the entire school year? Our Constitution authorizes Congress to be the power of the purse. It is our job to set a responsible and affordable budget for the Federal Government each year. If we can't do our job, we should not be paid. Madam Speaker, it is time for the Democrats in the Senate to do their job.
