[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 17 (Tuesday, February 5, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H350]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                             SEQUESTRATION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Austin Scott) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring note 
to the fact that for the fourth time in 5 years, President Obama is, 
once again, late in delivering his budget to Congress and the citizens 
of America.
  Americans throughout this country tell me over and over again that 
our national debt is unacceptable. They tell me it is holding America 
back from achieving economic prosperity and robbing their children of 
the American Dream. They tell me it's time for Washington to pass a 
budget.
  The President has turned a deaf ear to the pleas of these Americans. 
He has been asked to take this country's economy seriously. He chooses 
instead to spend his time in other countries, taking family vacations, 
and playing countless games of golf.
  Hardworking taxpayers know that work must come before play, Mr. 
President. That is the practice of millions of taxpaying Americans who 
must foot the bill for Presidential vacations while they forfeit their 
own vacations due to the uncertainty in the economy.
  While the President crisscrosses the world avoiding Americans' top 
priorities, back at home Americans are nervous. Every year that our 
country goes without a budget, the national debt skyrockets, the 
uncertainty for American businesses grows and, with that, unemployment 
goes up. Without a Federal budget, businessowners cannot plan. They 
cannot plan for the President's new regulations or his unforeseen tax 
increases; and, therefore, it is all the more difficult for them to 
expand their businesses and create jobs in America.
  To add to the uncertainty, the President's proposed sequestration is 
set to take effect this March. Despite his promise--his promise--to the 
American people that it would never actually happen, the President has 
yet to take any steps to undo this harmful measure. He has shown 
absolute indifference to the millions of Americans whose livelihoods 
would be severely impacted by his sequestration.
  House Republicans have twice passed legislation to replace the 
President's sequester with commonsense reforms that would reduce 
spending and preserve and strengthen our safety net for future 
generations and ensure our national defense.
  This week, the House will not only renew our commitment to the 
American people to pass a budget, but it will be a responsible budget 
that will balance. It will be one that will aim to grow the economy, 
drive down unemployment, expand opportunity and prosperity for the 
private sector, and ensure that America maintains its leading role in 
the world as a strong national defender.
  Americans can do this. We just need a President to put work before 
play.

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