Boehner: Dems need to act on budget bill

KEY QUOTE: “Republicans will remain united around the same goal: cutting as much spending as we can on behalf of the American people…. Not making significant spending cuts or simply doing nothing are not acceptable solutions to our problems.”

Boehner: Dems needs to act on budget bill
By John Boehner
Piqua Daily Call
April 6, 2011

Americans and economists alike know cutting government spending will encourage economic growth and job creation.  Since Americans entrusted us with the majority in the House last November, my colleagues and I have fought to reduce the size of government and stop the threat of tax hikes because we know that it will help end the uncertainty facing job creators and get our economy moving again.  While we have a lot more work ahead of us, we will remain true to our principles and dedicated to fighting for what the American people sent us here to do – get our country back on track.

Americans across the country, especially our job creators, have been closely watching the budget debate on Capitol Hill and voicing their support for meaningful spending cuts.  House Republicans have been listening and I am proud to say that more than 40 days ago the People’s House passed H.R. 1 which would make the largest discretionary spending cuts in modern history and keep the government open for the rest of the fiscal year.

Unfortunately, Senate Democrats have not taken any action.  While refusing to pass our bill, the Senate has also refused to pass any other legislation, and Democratic leaders haven’t put forward any serious plan to cut spending.  With a government shutdown looming in just one week, it’s time for them to follow our lead and get serious about the spending crisis in Washington.

Republicans will remain united around the same goal: cutting as much spending as we can on behalf of the American people.  While we will continue to negotiate with the Democrats who run Washington in the coming week, I can assure you we will stay committed to that goal.  Not making significant spending cuts or simply doing nothing are not acceptable solutions to our problems.

On April 1, the House voted to approve the Government Prevention Act that states if the Senate fails to pass a continuing resolution to keep the government running, the house-passed bill will become law. And while House Republicans only control one half of one third of the government, we are working to ensure significant spending cuts are made so we can help end the uncertainty that is strangling job creation.

But cutting discretionary government spending in the continuing resolution is just the first step. Next, we will begin discussions on next year’s budget.  Republicans’ proposed budget will cut even more spending and take on the auto-pilot spending that is driving our debt crisis.  I can assure you, President Obama’s $1.5 trillion tax hike, included in his budget, will not be something that House Republicans will approve.  Such a measure will destroy jobs and we are no longer going to allow for Washington gimmicks, accounting tricks, and tax hikes on families and job creators.

House Republicans are taking on the challenges that our country faces.  We have been bold in our solutions and resilient in the fight to cut spending. We are committed to creating an environment where small businesses are once again confident in our economy and willing to grow and expand.  We have invited the Democrats to join us in this effort, but unfortunately all we have seen from them is inaction and more of the same.  It’s time to end the spending binge in Washington and free our economy from the shackles of big government.

Read more at John Boehner for Congres