Avoiding Government Shutdown, Again

Statement

On Thursday, I voted to prevent a government shutdown and continue funding the federal government for the first six months of 2013. While this legislation is far from perfect, it is necessary because Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has failed to bring a single appropriations bill to the Senate floor this year. Votes to temporarily fund the government are clear examples of why this country is $16 trillion in debt. They are symptoms of a debilitating disease: a broken budget process.

Congress and the president cannot keep delaying the tough decisions that we were elected to make. This week, Moody's threatened to downgrade the U.S. credit rating, if Washington fails, yet again, to tackle our long-term budget issues. And those of us who have been given the responsibility to govern need to start listening. Although the House has passed a budget, we cannot act alone. The Senate has not passed a budget in three years and that is just plain irresponsible.

America has had enough with the short-term budget fixes, patches, gimmicks and tricks. They only delay problems or make them worse. This country needs comprehensive budget and tax reform. This means a simpler tax code that is more fair and efficient and fundamental spending reform that will save Medicare.

We must seize this rare opportunity to put our nation back on the right path--to ensure a more prosperous future for our children. It is time to put the American people first.

Click the picture below to watch the Congresswoman's floor statement on the importance of dealing with the long-term U.S. debt problem.

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