[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 29 (Wednesday, March 8, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H649]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        IN SUPPORT OF REFORM OF THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET PROCESS

  (Mr. BISHOP of Georgia asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today with grave concern 
for our children and the deficit that Congress and this administration 
are passing on to them. How much is it? It depends on whether you rely 
on the President's budget or his financial report. The budget showed 
the deficit at $319 billion in 2005, while the more realistic financial 
report showed it at $760 billion, more than twice as large.
  To make a long story short, the financial report of America uses a 
clearer, more understandable picture of Federal finances. Beyond that, 
the Blue Dog Coalition calls for a reform of the congressional budget 
process so that accrual budgeting is fairly considered in formulating 
Federal budgets.
  Finally, I urge consideration of the Blue Dog call for honest 
budgeting, which builds on the Blue Dogs' fiscally sound 12-point plan, 
including caps on discretionary spending, PAYGO rules, that any 
spending increases be paid for with a revenue cut, a balanced budget 
amendment to the Constitution and other budget reforms.
  These are dire economic times, Madam Speaker. We need to get our 
fiscal house in order. I urge my colleagues on the Budget Committee to 
consider the financial report, and I urge all of my colleagues to adopt 
the Blue Dog call for honest budgeting.

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