Sen. Cornyn: Budget Committee Should Have Used Red Ink The Right Way To Slash Through Reckless Spending
Press Release
Sen. Cornyn: Budget Committee Should Have Used Red Ink The Right Way - To Slash Through Reckless Spending
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, a member of the Senate Budget Committee, today participated in the committee's markup of the fiscal year 2010 budget. Sen. Cornyn offered several amendments to improve the budget, two of which were aimed at significantly reducing the insurmountable amount of spending and consequential debt the budget would incur. These two amendments were ultimately defeated by Democrat members of the committee. Sen. Cornyn voted against the budget, which will now be sent to the full Senate for consideration next week, and issued the following statement:
"Today the Senate Budget Committee had the opportunity to use red ink the right way - to slash through reckless spending and create a significantly leaner and more responsible product. I attempted to improve the budget through amendments to protect our children and grandchildren from inheriting massive amounts of debt, but unfortunately Democrats on the committee refused these common-sense measures.
"Democrat leaders should have produced a budget that speaks to the economic challenges of today as well as the security of future generations. One that models the budgeting practices of families across the country who are tightening their belts and making tough financial decisions. One that supportsnot burdenssmall businesses, which are the top job creator in the country. And one that considers future generations and doesn't carelessly pass them a bill they will not be able to afford. The budget that now heads to the full Senate is none of these things. Simply stated, the Democrats' budget spends too much, taxes too much, and borrows too much."
Sen. Cornyn offered the following amendments that were blocked by Senate Democrats:
Amendment to reduce the debt held by the public by more than $55 billion by reducing the growth in non-defense discretionary spending to match the growth in defense.
Limit growth in non-defense discretionary spending to the same level that the budget provides for defense programs. It reduces the debt held by the public by $55 billion.
Amendment to establish a point of order against budgets that double the debt held by the public. The President's budget proposal would double the debt held by the public in five years and triple it in 10 years.
Create a 60 vote point-of-order against any budgets that double the debt held by the public.
Safeguard our children and grandchildren from Congress's propensity to spend now and make them pay for it later.
Sen. Cornyn also offered the following amendment, which passed unanimously:
Amendment to establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund for the creation of a bipartisan Congressional Sunset Commission to eliminate wasteful, non-performing government programs and is based on a legislation introduced by Senator Cornyn in the 110th Congress. Specifically, the fund would be used to:
Provide for a bipartisan Congressional Sunset Commission that will review federal programs, focusing on unauthorized and non-performing programs.
Provide for a process that will help abolish obsolete and duplicative Federal programs.
Provide for improved government accountability and greater openness in government decision-making; and
Provide for a process that ensures that Congress will consider the commission's reports and recommendations.
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