Congress Must Budget

Mr. FORTENBERRY. Mr. Speaker, the national debt just surpassed $13 trillion. Since 2000, the national debt and government spending have doubled, and in simple terms, every American citizen now owes $42,000 toward this debt.

To govern is to choose, Mr. Speaker, and choices must be made within our budget to resolve this dire situation. Yes, the choices before us are hard, and restoring economic strength will be very difficult. But tightening the belt, making hard choices and relieving the massive debt burden that will otherwise be left to our children and grandchildren, this is the charge of Congress. This is our duty. This is what the American people deserve

Government spending and overreach are eroding economic confidence, yet there is neither a political will or a mechanism in Washington right now for addressing this spiraling debt and deficit/right now there isn't even a budget, and this is unconscionable and unsustainable. Our constituents deserve a Nation with its fiscal house in order, and this starts with a responsible budget plan.

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