Congressman Boehner: Democrats Who Reject the Goal of Balancing the Budget Are Out of Step with the American People

Statement

At his weekly press briefing today, Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester) praised House passage of Republicans' balanced budget that will promote economic growth and expand opportunity for all Americans. Boehner also urged President Obama and Democrats to stand with the American people and work with Republicans on the common-sense goal of balancing the budget over the next 10 years. Following are Congressman Boehner's remarks:

On the House Passing Republicans' Responsible, Balanced Budget Today:

"It's a good day for the American people. Every family in America must balance their budget. Today House Republicans passed our bold plan to balance the federal budget over the next 10 years.

"This budget does more than just balance. It helps improve people's lives and addresses the things I think they most care about. Fixing the tax code, lowering rates means more jobs and higher wages for the American people. Supporting the Keystone pipeline and American-made energy means more jobs for the American people and lower energy prices. Repealing ObamaCare and supporting patient-centered reforms means more jobs and lower health care costs for the American people. Protecting and strengthening Medicare means a more secure retirement for older Americans. Cutting waste means more fairness and accountability for hard-working taxpayers."

On the Opportunity for President Obama to Work with Republicans to Balance the Budget:

"In the 1990s, President Clinton worked with a Republican Congress to grow the economy and to restrain spending. The 1997 balanced budget agreement actually resulted in a much faster balanced budget than anybody anticipated.

"Balancing the budget was a major accomplishment for Republicans in the 1990s, and also part of President Clinton's legacy. I would hope that President Obama would learn from that."

On the American People Overwhelmingly Supporting the Goal of Balancing the Budget:

"The American people overwhelmingly support balancing our budget. And the budget that Senate Democrats are considering never balances -- ever. That means more debt, fewer jobs, and frankly, much higher taxes from the American people.

"We certainly hope that the president will change his mind and submit a plan that actually balances the budget. But let's be clear: Democrats in this town who reject the goal of balancing the budget, I think, are out of step with where the American people are. The American people know you can't continue to spend money that you don't have."

On Republicans Standing with the American People & Working Toward a Balanced Budget that Preserves the American Dream:

"Listen, I didn't come here for a fancy title or a big office. I want to hand my kids and grandkids the same shot at the American Dream that I had -- not some mountain of debt. That's why Republicans are standing with the American people and working to balance the federal budget."

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