Herb Kohl: “I am in opposition to the budget before the Senate. Many pundits will argue that the Senate budget is meaningless…”

“I am in opposition to the budget before the Senate. Many pundits will argue that the Senate budget is meaningless political posturing and a waste of time. After all, no money is appropriated by the decisions we make in this resolution. No taxes are changed. No laws are passed. But those who write off the budget debate are making a real mistake and missing a real opportunity. The Senate's budget resolution is our one chance to demonstrate that we have a coherent plan for our country. The budget is our opportunity to show that we have the courage to face our challenges, the common sense to meet our obligations, and the vision to lead the nation into a brighter future. Sadly, the budget before us fails on all three counts. Our current fiscal situation is a disaster. The Federal balance sheet has swung from a record surplus of $236 billion in fiscal year 2000 to a record deficit of $477 billion projected for this fiscal year. Now-- as the baby boom generation prepares to retire, as our nation faces unprecedented threats to our security, as well-paying manufacturing jobs bleed off our shores--does our budget face our fiscal shortfall with the gravity and seriousness of purpose the situation demands? No, it does not. Instead, we have a document that masks Treasury-draining tax policy with 5-year projections--closing the window to the public before the price tag for the President's ill-considered tax breaks reaches the trillions of dollars.”