Dreier Floor Statement on Budget Control Act Agreement

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman David Dreier (R-CA), House Rules Committee Chairman, made the following statement today as he opened debate of the Budget Control Act agreement on the floor of the U.S. House:

“After weeks upon weeks of debate, we have arrived at the ultimate goal to which we were all committed: a bipartisan agreement to avert the debt ceiling crisis looming right before us. Even more important, we have crafted a plan that addresses the real, underlying challenge of our ballooning national debt.

“The bipartisan agreement before us today is an historic achievement. This is the 76th time we have raised the debt ceiling since 1962. But it is the very first time in nearly 50 years we have done so while making corresponding cuts in spending that exceed the ceiling increase. To most of us, this is just good common sense. It’s the only responsible thing to do. And yet 75 times before, no connection was made between the debt ceiling and efforts to tackle our debt.

“With today’s underlying legislation, we are fundamentally changing the way business is done here in Washington. We are setting a new precedent for fiscal discipline and accountability. This is a tremendous achievement that will have a profound and lasting impact on our budget and our economy in the short, medium and long term.

“This is an especially critical point to focus on –today’s legislation has dramatic implications for both the budget and the economy. The two are inextricably linked. This is why our fiscal situation is so important. We don’t need a balanced budget for the sake of a balanced budget. We need to balance our budget because our economy depends upon it.

“There’s a reason why the major credit rating agencies have said that our AAA credit rating is in jeopardy if we don’t dramatically cut spending. Multi-trillion dollar deficits and a national debt that approaches 100% of GDP are not sustainable. If we want to inspire confidence in the U.S. economy, create jobs and restore our position as the world’s most vital and dynamic economy, we absolutely must chart a new fiscal course.

“The bipartisan agreement that we will consider today does just that. It makes meaningful, immediate spending cuts. It sets up a process that guarantees votes in both chambers by Thanksgiving on an even bigger package. This will give us the time necessary to go beyond cuts to significant new reforms.

“That includes reforming entitlement programs to keep them solvent and ensure they don’t force us back onto a path of spiraling deficits and debt. By setting up this process, we can responsibly make the hard but essential choices that will restore our economy and unleash its power to create new opportunities for Americans. The underlying legislation will also impose additional automatic cuts, should Congress fail to continue on the path to real reform.

“Mr. Speaker, we are all in this together. We all stand to suffer tremendously if we fail to either raise the debt ceiling or take this opportunity to fundamentally change course. We will all suffer if we fail to continue the process of meaningful reform. But by coming together and enacting real reform, by remaining committed to this joint effort into the future, we can all share in the benefits of a resurgent economy and job market.

“We can’t approach a challenge of this magnitude as Republicans and Democrats first, but as fellow Americans who share a commitment to our prosperity as a nation, now and into the future.

“Today we have that opportunity. I urge my colleagues to support this rule and the underlying legislation.”

For Immediate Release: August 1, 2011
Contact Doug Andres 202.225.9191

Created:
Aug 1, 2011