Patty Murray: “I rise to express my displeasure with House Concurrent Resolution 178, the Republican budget resolution, and my…”

“I rise to express my displeasure with House Concurrent Resolution 178, the Republican budget resolution, and my disappointment that the budget was not improved during the House-Senate conference. Rather, the budget has grown even more troubling since going into conference. And I want to take a few minutes to discuss some of the provisions that concern me. Two weeks ago, I voted against the Senate Republican budget resolution because it failed to reflect the priorities and values held by most Americans--the belief that we need to ensure our quality of life, educate our children, and care for our elderly and disabled. The majority party could have improved the budget in the House-Senate conference meeting. They could have acknowledged the growing support for the centrist budget and the strong desire to reach a true balanced budget compromise. We should not forget the Chafee-Breaux balanced budget proposal received 46 votes, and I was proud to be among them. It received strong bipartisan support, and it is proof that Congress can get the job done. Mr. President, House Concurrent Resolution 178 took an extreme Senate Republican budget and made it worse. Rather than moving toward the centrist budget, the Republican leadership yielded to some disturbing House positions. Their actions lead me to believe some Republicans want gridlock--they do not want a balanced budget compromise.”