Joseph Knollenberg: “I would like to explain a few things for those people across the Nation who are watching this debate. We will hear a lot…”

“I would like to explain a few things for those people across the Nation who are watching this debate. We will hear a lot of numbers being batted back and forth in this Chamber today. We will hear terms like baselines, out years, budget authority, allocations, sequesters and CBO scoring. But don't be fooled. We're not talking about quantum physics here. This debate is really about power--the power of government versus the power of the American people. On the one hand, we have the Democrats' budget. It relies on the same tired formula they have peddled for years: more social spending; more careless defense cuts; more big deficits. Equally as interesting is what's not in their budget: no health care reform; no welfare reform; and no tough crime bill. Taken together, this visionless document is the very essence of status quo. It continues to feed the same failed Government policies with the personal and financial freedom of America's middle-class families. In stark contrast, we Republicans have offered an alternative called putting families first. This comprehensive package provides tax relief for families, incentives for job creation, greater deficit reduction, and funding for welfare reform, health care reform and a tough, comprehensive crime bill--all paid for with meaningful spending cuts. In short, the Republican alternative is a blueprint for the future, that invests in people not government.”