On the recordFebruary 18, 2011
I support the amendment offered by my colleague from Ohio, Representative LaTourette. I do believe the time has come for Congress to address a federal deficit that will exceed $1 trillion for the third consecutive year. I do agree that the total dollar amount cut by the underlying bill is appropriate and represents a move toward fiscal responsibility. The amendment under consideration shows the same commitment to fiscal responsibility; in fact, it cuts more spending than the underlying bill. Beyond that, the amendment spreads the spending cuts across all non-security federal programs for the remainder of 2011. No programs are eliminated, and with limited exceptions, no non-security spending is left untouched. Meeting our financial crisis will entail sacrifice from many quarters, and this amendment shares that sacrifice broadly across our entire discretionary spending budget. Beyond this year, an across-the-board cut provides a better point of departure for the 2012 appropriations process which will begin shortly. I urge my colleagues to vote in support of this amendment.
