[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 4953]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             AMERICA IS READY FOR TOUGH SPENDING DECISIONS

  (Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, the work ethic of the people of my 
district gives me great optimism despite the daily reminders that our 
Nation teeters on the edge of bankruptcy.
  Individual Americans are rich in spirit, tradition, and innovation; 
but as a country, we're broke, all because the Federal Government has 
maxed out its credit card. This House is listening to the American 
people, and we have passed legislation representing significant 
spending cuts of historic proportions.
  But Harry Reid and the President are not listening. Instead, they are 
threatening to shut down the government. Now they'll try to shift the 
blame and deny that America's economic problems are the result of their 
failed policies.
  I believe America is ready for some tough spending decisions. We must 
give Americans the tools to grow the economy instead of growing 
government. I hope my fellow colleagues will join me in asking two 
questions when any spending bill comes before this House: How much is 
it going to cost? And who is going to pay for it? And if we can't 
afford it, and if the American taxpayer is going to foot the bill, we 
should be voting a resounding ``no.''

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