Time for Congress to Pass a Budget

Statement

On Wednesday I spoke on the Senate floor about one of my greatest concerns: our nation's out-of-control spending. America's national debt now stands at more than $15 trillion; this enormous amount of debt is slowing America's economic recovery and threatening the prosperity of future generations. Writing and passing a budget is one of the most basic responsibilities of Congress -- it's required by law. The budget sets forth priorities and guidelines for the fiscal year and begins the process of determining how much money should be spent and which programs should be cut back, eliminated or supported further. The way to get back on the path to fiscal responsibility is for Congress to pass and operate within a budget.

The Senate considered five separate budget proposals this week, including President Obama's budget which failed by a vote of 0-99. Although there were things I would have changed in each budget we considered, four of the budgets would move us in the right direction towards balancing the budget and I commended my colleagues for offering serious solutions to serious problems.

In Congress, we have a solemn obligation to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars. Our spending debate is oftentimes seen as a philosophical, academic, or a partisan argument, but the truth is out-of-control borrowing and spending has very real consequences on the daily lives of Americans and our economy. If we continue to delay difficult decisions, our children and grandkids will have to pay for our irresponsibility.

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