Ayotte Votes in Favor of Ryan, Toomey Budget Plans

Press Release

U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, issued the following statement today after voting in support of budget proposals authored by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA). Senate Democrats voted to block debate on all five budget resolutions, including the president's own Fiscal Year 2013 budget proposal.

"It's been three years since the Democratic-controlled Senate last passed a budget, and our national debt has soared past $15.6 trillion. It's past time for the Senate to debate and vote on a spending plan that addresses our nation's staggering debt and deficits, preserves our entitlement programs, and secures America's economic future. By voting today to block Senate consideration of any budget proposals, Senate Democrats have made it clear that the next election is a higher priority than America's fiscal crisis. The American people deserve better."

Senator Ayotte is cosponsoring the "No Budget, No Pay Act," legislation that would dock pay for Members of Congress for failure to pass a budget resolution and regular appropriations bills before the start of the federal fiscal year. In October, Senator Ayotte introduced bipartisan legislation with Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) that would require Congress to pass a budget resolution by April 15 - the date by which it is legally required to do so - or suspend other business.

Source