Steven Holt: “last year the House budget resolution was so controversial that House and Senate Republicans never even convened a…”

“last year the House budget resolution was so controversial that House and Senate Republicans never even convened a conference. This year the budget resolution, as passed by the House, is as unrealistic as last year's plan, and even more irresponsible. Some in Congress, because of their fixation on exploding tax cuts, have presented unworkable appropriations bills, and they do nothing to extend the solvency of social security and Medicare. As opposed to the fiscal responsibility demonstrated by Democrats, the budget passed by the majority party returns us to the unrealistic fiscal policies of the 1980s. Although it claims to shore up social security, to finance a large tax cut, to dramatically increase defense spending and keep government spending down, the truth is much different. The majority's budget, as in the resolution, simply cannot keep all the promises made. Democrats, on the other hand, have aimed to produce future economic growth through debt reduction and investments, exactly the mix of priorities that a successful business would adopt in good times. Republicans have voted to reserve virtually the entire bounty of economic growth and fiscal discipline for tax cuts that will likely benefit only those who are already doing very well in the current economy. It is simple. The majority budget resolution may well burden future generations because of tax cuts and spending obligations made today, and they rely on surplus projections well into the future.”