Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, we have a historic opportunity before us today. We can start to make a lot of things right again by casting a vote for the balanced budget amendment. No family or household in America can spend more than it has, yet we allow the Federal Government to run huge budget deficits every year instead of forcing them to make tough decisions about Government spending. No father or mother can simply decide to ignore the bottom line and spend their hard-earned money recklessly or foolishly. Like almost everybody, American families and businesses are held accountable for the spending decisions they make. If they don't have the money, they don't spend the money. It is as simple as that. Mr. Chairman, it is time we return to that notion of spending accountability. It is time for Congress to act like responsible Americans do all across this country and end the pattern of spending and borrowing this institution has tolerated for too long. It is shameful that it has come to this--that the U.S. Congress has to pass binding legislation in order to balance its budget--but the balanced budget amendment we have before us today is the instrument we need. We need it to put Congress' feet to the fire.”