On the recordFebruary 16, 2011
We're fortunate that the new Republican majority brought their proposal before this Congress the day after President Obama submitted his budget plan for next year. We are fortunate because it gives the American people the opportunity to compare very different approaches. The President's budget is tough but it is responsible. It's tough because it cuts non-security discretionary spending by $400 billion over the next decade to the lowest share of the economy since the Eisenhower administration. It's responsible because it steadily reduces the deficit while making targeted investments in areas like education, clean energy, infrastructure, and scientific innovation--investments that will strengthen our economy and make sure America wins the future in a competitive global marketplace. One of those key areas of investment the President has proposed is infrastructure. The American Society of Civil Engineers--hardly a left- wing group--issued a report card on the state of America's deteriorating infrastructure. They gave us practically failing grades--mostly Ds and D-minuses--for the state of our roads, schools, transit, and drinking water--not grades that we would want our kids to bring home from school. So I'm very pleased that the President has announced that he wants to make critical investments in this area.
