On the recordMarch 3, 2011
I voted in favor of the continuing resolution to keep our government and all its essential services open and operating for the next 2 weeks. I cast this vote because I believe a government shutdown is in no one's interests, but I am deeply disappointed in the political process that has put us in this position and my patience is nearly exhausted with yet another short-term solution and band-aid approach. A 2-week extension that merely defers tough decisions on funding the fiscal year that started more than 5 months ago is hardly progress. A 2-week extension is preferable to a government shutdown, but it does not provide the certainty that is needed. The American people deserve better than a stalled process which delays important decisions of how we can reduce our Federal budget deficit while maintaining our important investments in infrastructure, research, education, technology, and clean energy which will result in new jobs and will bolster our long-term competitiveness. The American people deserve a serious dialogue and adult conversation within the Congress about our fiscal situation, discretionary spending, entitlements, and revenues. We need to work towards a long-term solution to reduce both our current budget deficit and our staggering debt. We will need to reduce Federal spending and make appropriate changes to our entitlement programs to meet the fiscal challenges facing our country.
