Willie Hefner: “I think it is a bit hypocritical of any of us to go home to our constituents and say, ``I am not going to vote to…”

“I think it is a bit hypocritical of any of us to go home to our constituents and say, ``I am not going to vote to increase the debt of this country, I am not going to vote to borrow any more money. Let the Federal Government live within its means.'' But there is not a single Member, be he Democrat or Republican, that does not partake of the goodies that are in the budget every year. What it amounts to, the President of the United States borrows money to keep this Government going, to pay for these things, and he borrows it on behalf of every Member of this Congress. Let me just give a little scenario. I have three district offices, and the people who work in my office work very, very hard, and they worked in the times when the Government shut down. Some people come and say, ``I'm having trouble with my veterans benefits. I haven't been getting my check.'' He says, ``Oh, well, you come on in.'' And I do not care whether it is a Republican or a Democrat, he gets right on it to solve this problem for his constituents, whether it is veterans benefits, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, whatever.”