Federal Spending

Floor Speech

Madam Speaker, if federal spending is not reigned in--we will find it more and more difficult to avoid the looming financial crisis that lies ahead. Getting a handle on the out-of-control spending in Washington D.C. is my top priority. Families and businesses across the country are tightening their belts in these tough economic times, but Congress continues to spend like there is no tomorrow. For the sake of future generations, we have to restore a sense of fiscal responsibility to this town.

Over the August recess, the Congressional Budget Office, CBO, released an updated budget projection showing the federal government running deficits equal to $8.7 trillion over the FY 2009-FY 2019 period.

The continued spending by this Congress is unacceptable and must be stopped. This is a path we should not have gone down; first it was the $700 billion financial bailout, then the so-called $787 billion stimulus. America's hardworking taxpayers deserve better--a Congress that is accountable and one that shows restraint.

During the debate on the FY 2010 Budget Resolution, I proposed a balanced budget. It was a first step in setting our nation's fiscal priorities and getting spending under control.

After the Congress adopted the budget resolution, I offered a modest next step by offering a series of ``fiscal discipline amendments'' to hold the line on runaway federal spending during the FY 2010 appropriations process. These amendments would force the government to live on last year's income.

Yesterday, I offered an amendment in the Rules Committee to the Continuing Resolution for FY 2010, in order to once again attempt to hold the line on spending by saving taxpayers $84 billion. This amendment reflects our values. The American people are tired of this blank check and this bailout mentality that has got a hold of Washington. The people are sick of bailouts and rising deficits. And furthermore, they are tired of the piling debt that is crushing the future of our children and grandchildren.

AMENDMENT OFFERED BY MR. JORDAN OF OHIO
In section 101 (relating to rate for operations under CR)--
(1) insert ``(a)'' after the section designation; and
(2) insert at the end the following new sub-sections:
(b) Except as provided in subsection (c), whenever the amount that would be made available under subsection (a) for a project or activity is greater than the amount that was made available for such project or activity in appropriations Acts for fiscal year 2008, the project or activity shall be continued at a rate for operations as provided in such Acts and under the authority and conditions provided in such Acts.

(c) Whenever the amount that would be made available under subsection (a) for a project or activity covered by the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2010, or the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2010 is less than the amount that would be made available for such project or activity by such appropriations Acts as passed by the House of Representatives, the project or activity shall be continued at a rate for operations as provided in such appropriations Acts, as passed by the House.

In section 106(3) (relating to period covered by CR), strike the specified date and insert ``September 30, 2010''.

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