On the recordMarch 8, 2011
I rise today to add my voice to the debate that has been going on in the Chamber about spending proposals and how we get through the balance of this current fiscal year and ensure that we do not end up with a government shutdown and some of the repercussions that will come about from that. I am blessed to represent a State that has not only a disproportionate share of Federal employees but also has a large number of private sector employees who rely upon predictability from the government. Unfortunately, with these lurchings from 2-week extensions, we are not providing that kind of predictability. As you know, I strongly believe this is a moment in time for this body, colleagues in the House, and the President and others to come together regarding the question of how we no longer simply look at our debt and deficit on a piecemeal basis but we actually take on this issue on a comprehensive basis as so many, both elected officials and financial officials, continue to suggest. That came in earlier today in testimony from former Senator Alan Simpson and former Presidential Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles about the consequences of our failure to act if we do not get our comprehensive deficit and debt under control. It is a problem that is not going to get easier. Every day we fail to act we add $4 billion to our national debt.
