Mark Pocan: “Congress is now more than 1 week past our legal deadline to produce a final budget for the American people, but this is…”

“Congress is now more than 1 week past our legal deadline to produce a final budget for the American people, but this is not due to a lack of activity by either Chamber. In fact, the House has passed a budget, and the Senate has passed a budget; yet there is no movement toward creating a final national budget. Why? Because Republicans in both the House and the Senate refuse to appoint budget conferees. Mr. Speaker, the people of Wisconsin and the Nation deserve a Federal budget that reflects our values and that lays out our priorities just like we do in Wisconsin and other States. Without a budget, we cannot respond to emerging needs or cut wasteful programs, and we cannot replace the irresponsible sequester cuts that are hitting our families and communities. This is unacceptable and it is unnecessary. I am a member of the Budget Committee, and I do not agree with most of what was included in the budget that our committee passed, but I do believe we need to sit down with the Senate and, in an open, transparent process, come to a budget solution. There is no excuse for inaction. Republicans should immediately appoint budget conferees so we can produce a budget that promotes economic growth and supports our middle class families. ____________________”