[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 16, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E237-E238]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             FULL-YEAR CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2011

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. DAN BENISHEK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 15, 2011

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1) making 
     appropriations for the Department of Defense and

[[Page E238]]

     the other departments and agencies of the Government for the 
     fiscal year ending September 30, 2011, and for other 
     purposes:

  Mr. BENISHEK. Mr. Chairman, it is my strong belief that the pre-
eminent reason a majority of Northern Michigan's citizens selected me 
to be their representative in Washington was to do everything possible 
to rein in out-of-control Federal spending. My focus has been to 
support such efforts while working to ensure that policies coming out 
of the Nation's Capital--tax, monetary, and regulatory--serve to 
encourage private enterprise so Northern Michigan has the chance to 
experience economic growth.
  My first 44 days in office have taught me a great deal about the 
budget process and the ``spending ways of Washington.'' Each day we 
have been in session I have typically had 5-10 meetings with 
organizations, companies and Washington reps all seeking to keep their 
programs free of any spending cuts. No one in Washington has asked me 
to spend less. In fact, it seems in every Washington meeting while 
there occasionally is a recognition of the doom America faces if the 
current spending continues, each meeting usually closes with an 
expected refrain ``. . . yes we need to spend less but not our 
program.''
  By contrast, during my first visit home, just about everyone in the 
First District asked me to make sure the Federal Government spends 
less. In Northern Michigan there seems to be a strong consensus that 
Federal budget red ink can no longer continue at record pace.
  Here are my guiding ``spend less'' principles in this 112th Congress:
  Shared Responsibility: Before there is any comprehensive entitlement 
reform effort, every Federal department should be prepared to live with 
less money in 2012 than it received in 2011.
  Sunlight and Transparency: All spending decisions should be made in a 
fully transparent legislative process. No backdoor earmarks, no special 
interest amendments. If a program has merit its supporters should 
defend the program in public floor debate.
  Tighten the Revenue Spigot: Simply sending more money to Washington 
is not going to solve the problem of unchecked spending; every year the 
U.S. Treasury receives more money; every year the Federal Government 
spends more than it takes in. Consequently, increasing taxes is not the 
answer.
  If not now, when? I have publicly promised to limit my career in 
Congress to just three terms. America's future is more important than 
any one of us in Congress, certainly more important than any political 
job. I'd rather do what I think is right than simply keep this 
position. I trust the voters.
  In my view, the debt is not a Republican issue or a Democrat issue. 
It is an American issue.
  The failure of previous Congresses to act means America now faces a 
$14 trillion debt. For every dollar Congress allocates the U.S. 
Treasury has to borrow up to $.40 to pay for it. That means indebting 
ourselves to countries like China and mortgaging our children's future.
  Let me be clear, this will not be easy. To stem the tide, many tough 
decisions will need to be made. Northern Michigan--like the entire 
country--has a backlog of worthy projects and its people have benefited 
from admirable public programs. The reductions in H.R. 1 affect every 
community in the nation. These are hard decisions for Congress to make, 
and not everyone will be happy with everything that has been proposed. 
This is understandable, but I believe these reductions are necessary to 
show that Congress is serious about returning our country to a 
sustainable financial path.
  The Continuing Resolution to be considered on the House Floor this 
week is just the first step. Fortunately, the President's budget 
proposal is merely a suggestion that Congress can improve upon. In my 
view, Congress needs to offer a more fiscally sound budget for FY 2012.
  Additionally, it is my view that Congress will need to consider 
reforming entitlements programs. Social Security and Medicare are 
important programs that millions of Americans depend on. Without 
reform, both of these programs face bankruptcy. In my opinion, Congress 
needs to consider solutions to avoid this crisis that ensures benefits 
under Social Security and Medicare are not reduced for those Americans 
currently receiving benefits.
  And I think most of my colleagues agree this is not a time to play 
politics. The inflamed rhetoric and scare attacks on cutting grandma's 
benefits have no place here. This week's vote will not take away 
benefits for anyone receiving benefits. Instead, Congress will have 
completed the first step and as the Constitution dictates, the Senate 
and the President will have their say.

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