Political Quotes

“I just highlight to my colleagues that we have talked a good bit today about the overall budget process and why we think the taxpayer has the right to know how this body spends your money. The taxpayer has the right to know what is going to be there in the form of a deficit and a debt that their children are going to have to pick up the burden on and carry that burden. The taxpayer has the right to know what is looming with Medicare and Medicaid and Social Security and the entitlements that are there that are put on automatic pilot. They have the right to know what the budget processes are, what is the difference in baseline budgeting and zero-base budgeting and performance-based budgeting; what are the benefits that would be derived by transparency. They have the right to know how the Budget Committee goes through the process of setting the parameters on this budget. And certainly they have the right to know what takes place in the appropriations process. They have the right to know what is wasteful spending and what are earmarks and what is in front of us with this entire document.”