Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2016 -- Continued

Floor Speech

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Mr. DAINES. Madam President, as a fifth-generation Montanan and avid
sportsman, I know firsthand how important Montana's lands and resources
are to our economy and our way of life. I also know how important it is
for Montanans to play a strong role in the management of these precious
parts of our State. In Montana, we understand that our resource use
must be done responsibly. We understand the importance of protecting
our State's treasures so that future generations may continue to have
the same experiences and job opportunities we have today.

We also know that the Montanans who use and live on the land every day
best understand how to best protect those resources. But, unfortunately, the Obama administration's persistent efforts to stretch the true intent of the Antiquities Act threatens Montana's ability to manage our State's resources, and it is a trend we are seeing across other States as well.

Too often these unilateral designations completely ignore the needs
of the local community--the farmers and ranchers, the sportsmen and
small business owners directly impacted by these new designations. My
amendment will establish a deficit-neutral reserve fund for legislation
to ensure States and local governments support national monument
designations.

This amendment in no way precludes the President from proposing a
national monument. However, any bill or designation that has a
potential to impact land management must be locally driven, not
spearheaded in Washington, and must have local government and State
support as well. This amendment ensures the people affected most by
these designations have a seat at the table and their voices are heard.

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Mr. DAINES. Madam President, I offer amendment No. 389 to the budget
resolution to establish a deficit-neutral reserve to hold Members of
Congress accountable for failing to pass a balanced budget.

Washington has balanced its budget only five times in the last five
decades. Let me say that again. Washington has only balanced its budget
five times in the last 50 years. This is completely unacceptable, and
it threatens the prosperity of future generations. By strengthening
accountability and demanding results, my amendment will help restore
fiscal responsibility--I would call it fiscal sanity--in Washington.

I have introduced related legislation--the Balanced Budget
Accountability Act--which would terminate the salaries of Members of
the House and Senate if their respective Chamber does not pass a
balanced budget. Simply put, no balanced budget, no pay. It is time to
hold Congress accountable to the taxpayer. It is time to hit the
Members of Congress in their pocketbooks if they can't pass a balanced
budget.

Chairman Enzi's budget meets this commonsense principle, and by
passing my amendment to the budget resolution we will reinforce our
commitment to passing similar balanced budgets in the future.

I yield the floor.

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