On the recordMarch 1, 2011
I hope that we are beginning to usher in in the next 2 weeks a season of compromise on this very important question before the country. I hope and I am confident that Chairman Rogers and Mr. Dicks are capable of striking a very sound compromise for the people of our country. Here is where we are. When the fiscal year began on October 1, there were a series of resolutions that said let's live under the budget that spent what last year spent, and we have lived under that budget until this time. That budget saves $41 billion below what the administration asked for last February. The majority, about 10 days ago, passed a bill that said it wants to spend $100 billion less than what was proposed by the administration last February. Now, logical people would say that we are very well on the way to a sensible compromise. I am hoping that this is the last one of these temporary extensions we have so that those who rely upon the continuing funding of government departments-- vendors, employees, and institutions--will be able to do so. I think it's fertile for a good compromise, and I certainly hope the House reaches it.
