Recognizing the Importance of Passing a Budget

Floor Speech

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, when hardworking Arkansans receive their paychecks, they are forced to make difficult decisions about their finances and how to spend their money. Arkansas families are forced to tighten their belts in this economic climate and change their spending habits, and they expect Washington to do the same.

It is the job of Congress to be responsible stewards of taxpayer money, but not passing a budget is far from responsible. It is a failure by the majority to govern at its most basic level.

The level of discretionary spending increases and spending in the past year has become unsustainable. Failing to produce a budget only places future burdens on our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

We need fiscal discipline and a balanced budget that controls the national debt, does not raise taxes, and achieves lower deficits. Not passing a budget for the first time in modern history demonstrates how out of touch Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer are with the American people. We owe it to the American people to do better.

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