[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 80 (Tuesday, May 25, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H3757]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  BE RESPONSIBLE. LET'S PASS A BUDGET

  (Mr. PAULSEN asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PAULSEN. Well, Mr. Speaker, one of the most fundamental 
responsibilities of Congress is that of crafting and passing a Federal 
budget. This is not a responsibility that should be taken lightly, nor 
should it be cast aside when the job seems to be too difficult. 
Unfortunately, that is exactly what is happening right now with the 
House majority's failing to pass a budget for the first time since 
modern budget rules were established in 1974.
  While there is no question that the budgetary challenges we face 
today as a country are very dire, the most dire we have seen in 
decades, this does not mean Congress should shirk its responsibilities 
in crafting a responsible budget. If anything, this year's budget 
should be viewed as an opportunity to bring long-term, overdue fiscal 
reform and discipline to Washington.
  Mr. Speaker, it is absolutely time to address the reckless Washington 
spending, the trillion dollar deficits, the national debt that is over 
$12 trillion now, for the sake of our children and our grandchildren.

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