Pat Ryan

Endless borrowing is not a strategy. We must restore the foundations of economic growth--low taxes, spending restraint, reasonable regulations, and sound money.

I think we are all in agreement that the long-term demographics and health care costs, and that is what we tried to deal with the Health Care Reform Bill, which CBO says will save us a $1 trillion in the second decade and almost $200…

Something tells me we are going to have a big debate over the definition of investment over the next two years.

One of the disincentives to work I experience with folks in my district is, they're better off being on Medicaid because they have health care for their kids.

I firmly believe that a course correction here in Washington is sorely needed to help get us back on the right track.

Put additional investments in infrastructure, like you mentioned, you know, $50 billion, $100 billion in the next year or two for infrastructure that needs to get done anyway in education, in job retraining that would put people directly…

I don't know why those rules can't apply to government as well.

You have to do everything to get there.

Americans from all corners of our Nation have become increasingly alarmed and angered by the explosion of spending, deficits, and debt they have seen come out of Washington, and they have a right to be.

The greatest factor in Washington's spending problem is the unsustainable growth of our largest entitlements.

Now I think we have to focus on economic growth and a better Tax Code, but we are going to have to raise more money.

First, I want to applaud you, Chairman, for choosing to begin this year's budget season by focusing on our Nation's deficit and debt.

Now, many of us here have warned for years about the unsustainable trajectory of Federal spending growth, particularly that of our largest entitlements, and what it means for America's economic and fiscal future.

I don't think we can go blindly and extend all the tax cuts. I think we need to think about whether that is the right policy and if so, how we would offset those costs.

We didn't get to this point because the Federal Government was being starved by American taxpayers; we are here because Washington spends too much.

How about let's go into debt.

There is no question that our fiscal future is tied to health care.

I will again remind my colleagues that--should we fail to get Washington's fiscal house in order--the biggest losers will be our nation's most vulnerable.

Clearly, it is critical that we here in Congress ensure these safety nets remain available--and strong--for those who truly need and depend on them.

We must also reform our largest and least sustainable entitlement programs, which are today on a path to grow themselves right into extinction.

I will again remind my colleagues that should we fail to get Washington's fiscal house in order, the biggest losers will be our Nation's most vulnerable.

We must also reform our largest--and least sustainable entitlement programs--which are today on path to grow themselves right into extinction.

Clearly it is critical that we here in Congress ensure the safety net programs remain available and strong for those who truly need and depend on them.

safe and permanent storage of high-level and spent nuclear fuel waste is a critical element to our long-term energy strategy.

the Administration has--for I think political reasons--determined that Yucca is not a workable option.