Rob Andrews: “Mr. Speaker, it's not surprising to me why there is such disorientation from the erstwhile majority about the budget…”

“Mr. Speaker, it's not surprising to me why there is such disorientation from the erstwhile majority about the budget resolution that will be going to conference. It's because it contains a principle that they don't understand, which is called deficit reduction. The erstwhile majority made a living out of borrowing money, spending more, taxing less, borrowing more; spending more, taxing less, borrowing more. They turned a huge projected budget surplus into an immense budget deficit and debt, which will be paid for by the children and grandchildren of the Members of this institution. Mr. Speaker, here are the facts about the budget resolution the House passed: The fact is not one dollar of taxes is raised on anyone in the fiscal year covered by the first year of this resolution or the second year. Now, we get to a point at the end of 2009 where the tax cuts which the erstwhile majority enacted a few years ago expire. They passed a law that said that those tax cuts expire. We say let's pause at that point and decide what is in the best interest of the country.”