On the recordFebruary 18, 2011
One, discretionary spending in this country has increased 38 percent in the last 4 years, 38 percent. Has Americans' spending increased 38 percent? Has Americans' income increased 38 percent? No. All this amendment does is it asks the government to spend what it spent 2 years ago. Most Americans would probably like to do that. Why is that such a devastation? But there's even a greater reason. We have a $1.5 trillion going to $1.6 trillion deficit. If we do not get this debt under control--and fast--we will be making cuts of 50 percent overnight because of the debt crisis that will hit when people stop buying our debt. Madam Chair, this does not threaten government services. It is actually a step toward saving them from the debt crisis that is ahead of us.
