[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 16 (Wednesday, February 3, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H478]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 MAKING ENDS MEET DURING THIS RECESSION

  (Mr. DRIEHAUS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DRIEHAUS. Mr. Speaker, though our economy is growing again, we 
still face record budget deficits and a growing national debt due to 
the revenue lost during the Great Recession, the reckless tax policies 
of previous Congresses and the steps we took to turn around the 
economy. The President's proposal to freeze discretionary spending is 
an important step to meet this challenge, but we must do more. As we 
begin the budget process for 2011, Congress needs to make tough choices 
about spending just like millions of American families are doing to 
make ends meet during this recession.
  As Members of Congress, we need to quit pointing fingers and come 
together to be smarter about the way we spend taxpayer money. We must 
enact strict PAYGO principles, stop abusive no-bid contracts, and crack 
down on wasteful earmarks. Noisy rhetoric about wasteful spending isn't 
going to reduce the deficit, just as it doesn't create jobs or 
stimulate the economy.
  So I urge lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to put aside politics 
and business as usual so that our current deficit challenge doesn't 
become the burden of future generations.

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