Hensarling Statement on Spending Negotiations

Statement

Congressman Jeb Hensarling, Chairman of the House Republican Conference, issued the following statement today regarding Senate Democrats' continued failure to pass or propose a credible bill to fund the government while cutting job-destroying spending.

"It's been 44 days since the House passed H.R. 1 to fund the government for the rest of this fiscal year--a bill that was only necessary because the last Congress, led by the Democrats, failed to pass or even propose a budget for the first time in U.S. history. For more than a month, Senate Democrats have continued their record of failure by refusing to pass a long-term bill of their own.

"The Continuing Resolution passed by House Republicans contained the largest discretionary spending cut since the end of World War II and was designed to reduce the deficit and spur job creation. We are ready to take that bill to the negotiating table, but House Republicans cannot negotiate by ourselves.

"If a government shutdown occurs, it will be because Democrats failed the American people by propping up meaningless smoke and mirrors instead of taking our nation's spending-driven debt crisis seriously. House Republicans have consistently stepped up to the plate to tackle these challenges while Senate Democrats, led by Harry Reid, have sat on the sidelines and done nothing. Enough is enough. It is time for action."

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