[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 33 (Wednesday, February 25, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H2635]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            LESS GOVERNMENT AND REAL SPENDING REFORM NEEDED

  (Mr. FLEMING asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. FLEMING. Mr. Speaker, last night we heard the President in this 
very Chamber make the call for Congress to rise above the politics and 
to work together for the benefit of the American people, even though 
this side of the aisle has been shut out of virtually all related 
legislation.
  The President called for fiscal responsibility, and I couldn't agree 
more. But I am perplexed that he would make this call sandwiched 
between the biggest wasteful bills that the liberals in Congress have 
ever submitted. We need to stop the runaway spending to fund programs 
that don't immediately put this country back on track for economic 
stability and which create even more deficits in years to come.
  It is very foolish to spend heavily on an unprecedented number of 
earmarks, only to attempt to balance the budget on the backs of small 
businesses and those who work and save. Governor Jindal pointed out in 
his response how effective less government, less spending, and real 
government reform can be in my home State of Louisiana.
  I say that instead of increasing dependence on government to run our 
daily lives, I strongly suggest that we let the entrepreneurial spirit 
and the work ethic of Americans with real leadership from Congress 
create the pathway out of our economic problems.

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