Fiscal Responsibility

Floor Speech

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY -- (House of Representatives - September 29, 2005)

(Ms. FOXX asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, these past few weeks have tested our Nation's emergency response system, our compassion, and the Congress' ability to set spending priorities.

One thing is clear, Republicans are still the party of fiscal responsibility which has helped grow the economy and bolster jobs. In fact, over the past 2 years, our Nation has created millions of jobs, the unemployment level has dropped dramatically, and our economy has grown.

Like families, we make tough decisions. Over the past year, we terminated 98 programs which will save taxpayers over $4.3 billion. But given our new challenges, I am pleased that the House will exercise oversight of disaster expenditures to ensure that the funds are being spent properly by implementing several checks and balances: Sending investigators to the gulf to monitor disaster expenditures, convening dozens of hearings to hear from officials at all levels of government on how funds are utilized, and mandating weekly reports on expenditures, and conducting audits and investigation on disaster assistance.

While I hope we will do more to cut spending and provide accountability, we all know that the Democratic plan is simply to spend, spend, and spend some more.

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