[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 37 (Thursday, March 14, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H1404]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
THE REPUBLICAN BUDGET
(Mr. HIGGINS asked and was given permission to address the House for
1 minute.)
Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, the Republican budget released earlier this
week will move us in the wrong direction. It promises us growth through
austerity, cutting $943 billion in discretionary spending, but history
has proven that it just won't work.
Time and again, we see when an economy is recovering from a recession
and it embraces austerity, the economy tumbles. That's what happened in
Europe over the past 2 years, that's what happened in Japan in the
1990s, and that's what happened in this country in 1937. We must learn
from this lesson.
In fact, experts say that the Republican budget will result in 2
million fewer American jobs and will decrease economic growth by 1.7
percent.
Mr. Speaker, what we have to do is invest in our economy, nation-
build here at home in America and in Americans. This is a vehicle for
growth. We should not be cutting those kinds of investments.
Austerity is shortsighted, and we should reject it.
____________________