John Culberson: “I have approached all spending requests from the perspective as someone who has a second mortgage on the house and all…”

“I have approached all spending requests from the perspective as someone who has a second mortgage on the house and all the credit cards are topped out. My starting answer on all spending requests is ``no,'' and ``yes'' has to be earned. I have published all of my appropriations requests on my Web site for many years. I published both my request letters as well as the final result of those requests that the members of the committee have graciously agreed to support because they know that any request coming from me and my office has already been carefully screened. I won't submit requests that haven't already passed my very careful scrutiny. Again, I approach the request from the perspective of there is not enough money in the Treasury to do it; the starting answer is ``no,'' and ``yes'' has to be earned; the request has to fall within the functions of the Federal Government, and it has to be something for which there is no other source of revenue. I am proud to represent the Texas Medical Center. I am proud to represent the Houston Zoo. This $300,000 will be used by the zoo.”