Lungren Statement on Passage of House GOP "Path to Prosperity" Budget

Statement

Today, Congressman Dan Lungren (R-Gold River, CA) voted in favor of a House Budget resolution which, he said, "would start us on the road to real economic recovery." The Ryan Budget passed 228- 191. Lungren issued the following statement:

"I want to thank Chairman Ryan and members of the Budget Committee for drafting this budget proposal. This bill entitled The Path to Prosperity is not an "end-all be-all' budget solution. It is a blueprint, a priority list that addresses the very tough fiscal issues facing our country. Tough decisions were made in the writing of this bill and every member involved had America's future prosperity in mind.

"It has been almost three years -- 1,065 days -- since the U.S. Senate made tough decisions of their own and produced a budget. How do you begin to remedy the problems facing the country when only one side of Congress is addressing the issues? It is impossible.

"Chairman Ryan's budget is pro-growth, reforms the tax code to rid it of loopholes, broadens the base and lowers the rates for everyone. The Medicare reforms in this bill are bipartisan in nature, using a plan from Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and the Clinton administration's bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare.

"This budget effectively answers the question: "What must be done to avert a potential fiscal nightmare?' We are faced with $15.5 trillion dollars in debt- $49,000 for every American- and that number is growing at an alarming rate. This year alone we are facing another trillion dollar deficit. Left unchecked this harsh reality will break the back of our country.

"The people I represent make tough decisions everyday when it comes to their finances and family budgets. Why should our federal government be any different? The budget we passed today is our proposal for a prosperous America. It is one that works to create jobs and preserves the safety net structure that many Americans have come to expect. To do anything less would be a failure to serve the American people."

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