Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, we have the opportunity today to send a message that this Congress is serious about cutting spending, creating jobs and keeping the government operating. We can and we must do all three. It is important to note, however, how we arrived at this point. The last Congress was the first since the modern budget process was instituted that neglected to pass a budget despite the Democrats having complete control of the Federal Government. The inaction of the last Congress certainly did not excuse work on our part in this Congress. Instead, it made our responsibility all the more critical, and Mr. Speaker, this House has met that responsibility. Through an unprecedented and lengthy debate 2 months ago, the House deliberated and ultimately passed a resolution, cutting $61 billion in Federal spending. In March, the House passed and sent to the Senate two short-term funding bills that cut a total of $10 billion and kept the government functioning. Yesterday, again, this Chamber sent to the Senate a bill to avoid a shutdown and to ensure that our men and women in uniform will be paid through the end of the fiscal year. The response from the Senate has been consistent--deafening silence. Despite their agreement on the two short-term measures, the Senate has not sent a single bill or a single plan for this year's budget to the House. They have a responsibility to act now, and I call on them to pass H.R. 1363 to continue cutting Federal spending and to keep the government open.…”