Charles W. Stenholm: “I would again point out, this motion is based on a simple philosophy that when you find yourself in a hole, the first…”

“I would again point out, this motion is based on a simple philosophy that when you find yourself in a hole, the first rule is to quit digging. Take the shovels away from Congress and the President. The budget enforcement rules Congress and the President enacted in 1990 were an important part of getting a handle on the deficits in the early 1990s and getting the budget back into balance. They have been tested and they have worked. There is no question that they significantly improve the responsibility and accountability of the budget process and were instrumental in going from large deficits in the 1980s to surpluses in the 1990s. The principle of PAYGO, if we want to reduce our revenues or increase our spending, we need to say how we would pay for it within our budget, something all families have to do, because they understand it. If a family wants to give up a second job, they must first cut spending of what the second job is providing income for. That is so simple. Why is it so difficult for the majority to understand that?”