[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 5116]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   WE CAN'T SPEND MONEY WE DON'T HAVE

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, despite the heated 
rhetoric over the fiscal year 2011 budget and the failure to 
responsibly address our Nation's $14 trillion debt, there is one simple 
truth that we should all take away from this current budget standoff: 
Washington can no longer fail to deal with America's looming debt 
crisis as Americans continue to tighten their belts and make ends meet.
  Constitutionally, all spending bills must originate in the House. In 
February, the House performed its duty and passed a long-term spending 
bill that represents tough but necessary choices we must take. Even if 
we all agree a program is efficient and needed, we can't spend money we 
don't have. At a time when the Federal Government is borrowing 40 cents 
of every dollar, we must be responsible stewards of the taxpayers' 
dollars in a manner that ensures the long-term promises and commitments 
the government has made to the American people are met and fulfilled.
  It's time the Senate leadership do what's right. We still have a 
government to run and cannot adequately deal with a 2012 budget if last 
year's business is left hanging in the wind.

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