Price Introduces "Require a PLAN Act"

Statement

Congressman Tom Price, M.D. (GA-06) issued the following statement today after introducing the Require a PLAN Act (H.R. 444), legislation requiring the White House to either produce a balanced budget or provide a supplemental budget plan by April 1, 2013 that identifies in what fiscal year their plan would achieve balance.

"Over the past two years, House Republicans have done our job and passed sensible budget proposals that would address the nation's fiscal challenges, balance the federal budget, and get our economy moving. We will do so again this year and produce a budget that balances within the next 10 years," Congressman Price said. "Sadly, we have not seen a similar level of concern on the part of the White House or the Senate for the nation's looming debt crisis. In fact the Senate has not bothered to pass a budget in nearly four years. That is why Congress had to pass the "No Budget, No Pay' Act as a last-ditch effort to encourage the Democrat-majority in Washington to debate in good faith with us about the fiscal future of our country.

"Today we are moving this debate forward in a positive manner by introducing the Require a PLAN Act which will force President Obama to produce a plan to balance the nation's budget. It is unfortunate that it must come to this --- that we must mandate the Senate and White House to perform their most basic duties in the stewardship entrusted to them by the American people. Still, we will continue to pressure the Senate and the White House to thoughtfully examine and solve the enormous fiscal challenges facing our nation -- not ignore them -- so that we may protect the American Dream for generations to come."

President Obama has already indicated he will again fail to comply with the legal deadline for his annual budget proposal, marking the fourth year his administration has been late to submit a budget. He has also overseen four consecutive budgetary deficits exceeding $1 trillion while adding nearly $6 trillion in national debt in less than five years. The Require a PLAN Act is expected to be considered on the floor of the House of Representatives next week.

Congressman Tom Price, M.D., serves as the Vice Chairman of the House Committee on the Budget. He is a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, as well as the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

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