Fiscal Responsibility

Floor Speech

Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I was pleased the President called for fiscal responsibility and more responsible spending in his recent State of the Union address. In 2009, we saw a $1.4 trillion budget deficit and will likely see the same this year. At over $12 trillion, our deficit is simply unsustainable. Clearly, it is time for us to do something about it.

I believe there are reforms that can bridge the gap between Republicans, Blue Dogs, New Democrats, and Progressives; policies like accountability and transparency in the appropriations process and a Bipartisan Fiscal Commission. This year, we must come together to pass these and other important policies. PAYGO is an important first step. It has a proven track record of success and has helped us reach record surpluses in the 1990s.

I am hopeful that my colleagues, Republican and Democrat, will join me in supporting this important legislation. Getting America back on the path to fiscal responsibility will take time. But with an incremental, systematic, bipartisan approach, we can secure a robust and productive economy for generations to come.

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