Joe Pitts: “in 1981, while the Nation celebrated the 200th anniversary of the British surrender at Yorktown, President Reagan joked…”

“in 1981, while the Nation celebrated the 200th anniversary of the British surrender at Yorktown, President Reagan joked that ``our enemy is no longer Red Coats, but red ink.'' For 40 long years, this country sank deeper and deeper into debt. Congress seemed addicted to spending money on every project imaginable. But never during the 8 years of Reagan's presidency did the Congress ever send him a balanced budget, not once. Never during the Carter, Ford, or Nixon administrations did the Democratic Congress ever send the President a balanced budget, nor during the Bush administration. The same was true the first 2 years that President Clinton enjoyed one-party rule in this town, no balanced budget. The Constitution clearly states that only Congress can appropriate money for spending. Within 3 years of taking over Congress, the Republicans not only balanced the budget but also began paying down the debt. For decades, the other side had the chance to balance the budget but never did. The Republican Congress did it, and now we are reaping the rewards.”