U.S. Congressman John Culberson
April 15Tax Dayis the traditional deadline for both chambers of Congress to pass a budget resolution that sets the spending levels for the coming fiscal year. We are now well into May and Speaker Pelosi continues to stymie the process.
If no action is taken it will be the first time since the Budget Act of 1974 was signed into law that the House of Representatives has not produced a spending plan for the coming year.
The failure to produce a budget while America is facing the worst fiscal crisis since the Great Depression sends a dangerous and irresponsible message. If Speaker Pelosi does not move forward with a budget resolution the liberals in Congress will have free rein to continue their record spending spree.
This means even bigger deficits and more debt. As the national debt approaches $14 trillion we should be sending the clear and convincing message that we are serious about getting our fiscal house in order.
The Presidents Budget Director has admitted that deficits of this size are unsustainable" Moodys is now warning that U.S. sovereign debt is on track to be downgraded from AAA status by 2018possibly soonerand Greece is burning as a result of its own profligacy.
Congress needs to find the political will to cut spending and balance the budget. Republicans are publicly and openly committed to working with Democrats to address this unfolding crisis but Speaker Pelosi must allow a budget resolution to come to the floor for open and honest debate. As the Chairman of the House Budget Committee Rep. John Spratt (D-SC) accurately remarked If you cant budget you cant govern."
