America is greatly in need of strong, competent leadership.
Our nation’s total debt is now larger than our entire economy. Unemployment is painfully high and growth is painfully slow. Since taking office, the president has accelerated Washington’s reckless spending spree, has added trillions of dollars to the debt, and has refused to present a credible plan to put Washington’s fiscal house in order.
Meanwhile, Congress is divided. Republicans control the House, Democrats the Senate. As required by law, House Republicans presented a budget in committee, brought it to the floor, and passed it earlier this spring. It was an honest, detailed, concrete plan to put our budget on the path to balance and our economy on the path to prosperity. But Senate Democrats, during this time of national crisis, failed even to present a budget plan — in open defiance of the law and the public they serve. Senate Majority Leader Reid said it would be “foolish” to have a budget. The reason for this evasion is clear: Democrat leaders in Washington think it is politically foolish to commit publicly to the kind of tax increases and health-care rationing that would be required to sustain their vision of ever-expanding federal government.
This is the second consecutive year that Senate Democrats have disregarded the legally mandated budget process. In fact, this Sunday will mark the 900th day since Senate Democrats last adopted a formal budget plan as outlined in the Congressional Budget Act. It is a national disgrace.
As we encourage our colleagues to fulfill their basic duties of governance, we will continue to advance proposals aimed at strengthening the budget process. It is time Washington played by the rules. Elected leaders have a legal — and moral — obligation to prioritize taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars with an honest budget. We’re approaching 900 days since Senate Democrats last took that obligation seriously.
— U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama serves as the Ranking Republican of the Senate Budget Committee. U.S. Representative Paul Ryan of Wisconsin serves as Chairman of the House Budget Committee.
Sessions and Ryan are part of the problem. If the Senate is acting illegally, a simple letter will not solve the problem. What good is a law if it will not be enforced?
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuseuh... what? How do you propose they enforce the law, when Democrats control the Senate? Arrest Harry Reid?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbusePsst...did you know Harry Reid is a Mormon? Maybe he's taking orders from SLC.... Oh, never mind, I forgot, he's a Democrat. Only conservative, or in the case of Romney, Republican, politicians have to worry about their religious affiliation.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIf it's legally mandated, then what's the penalty? Who enforces it? And if there is a clear penalty and agent/body to enforce it, why haven't they?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI wasn't being rhetorical....
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThose are rhetorical questions, I presume?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseFrom Sen. Reid's perspective it would indeed be foolish to pass a budget. He would never get as good a deal as he will from perpetual continuuing resolutions.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIf they're breaking the law, why not file a suit against the Democratic leadership?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWho would have standing?
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abusejust a side note--Paul Ryan is an excellent communicator. When he writes a blog post, it is actually a blog post--concise and pointed. So often when the Corner allows a politician to use the space, there is some speechwriter gone mad problem and you get 20 inches of blather, reminiscent of Gene Hackman's aria of dullness in The Bird Cage. (I'm looking at you, Mitt Romney.)
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"Since taking office, the president has accelerated Washington’s reckless spending spree, has added trillions of dollars to the debt, and has refused to present a credible plan to put Washington’s fiscal house in order."
If only there was some way to get a new president, one who cares about getting our fiscal house in order and our entitlement spending under control.
The whole thing is an emergency but not enough of one to attempt to get a position where you clearly could do something about it.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseRep. Ryan is an uncommonly well-equipped person for his job: 0verseeing the Federal budget. The country needs this kind talent at a time like this.
Perhaps you've heard we have numerous economic woes in the U.S.? To take shots at him for doing what he's best at is silly (and counterproductive). Whether the White House turns red or stays blue, we need this kind of heavy hitter with his hands on the budget, not a teleprompter.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSmarter people than I say that all we need in the next president is someone who won't obstruct Paul Ryan.
(And someone who won't veto a congressional repeal of Obamacare.)
So, leave Paul Ryan alone. He's doing yeoman's service for our country as it is.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI can't wait to watch the MSM news shows tonight so I can see their 'Budget Watch' ticker hit 900 days! They do have one, don't they? They don't? Oh, that's right, the Senate is controlled by Democrats.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI imagine that on January 3, 2013, the very day that a landslide Republican class of senators is seated, all of our "impartial" media outlets will suddenly discover that it's been 1000 days since the Senate passed a budget and who do these Republicans think they are violating the law in such a brazen manner?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseYes, that will be immediately followed with "And where are all the jobs you promised?" question on day one.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThis is what Democracy looks like?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseActually in the new fascist way it's spelled Democrats see.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe new Washington way.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHow this guy Reid was re-elected last Nov. is beyond me. This man is an embarrassment of the State of Nevada and to the US Senate. Just think for a minute the furor the MSM would create if it was a Republican Senate that did that. It would be top news 24/7. Enjoy the next 14 months you little man because comes January 3,2013 your party will be in the minority for a long time to come.
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