"In making this plea, my colleagues and I stood on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, overlooking the construction site of the Capitol Visitor’s Center. The construction site is a massive, growing hole, 4-stories deep - a true representation of the growing deficit “hole” our Government is digging in our country. 

"I am worried about the direction our country is going. Today we are $7 trillion in debt, and this debt is growing every hour, every minute, and every second. From 1997 to 2001, we balanced the budget, and finally started to pay down the debt. However, we have gone back to the days of deficit spending. 

"This year our nation’s deficit ballooned to over $374 billion. What does this mean? It means the Congress has spent $2.1 trillion, but provided only $1.78 trillion to pay for it. To make up this gap, they borrowed $374 billion from investors, much of it coming from foreign countries, like China.

"In fact, we actually spend $1 billion every day, just to pay interest on the national debt. We could build 200 new elementary schools every single day with the interest we are paying on the national debt. Or, we could provide prescription drug coverage for one million seniors for a year with one day’s interest on the national debt.

"When you find yourself in a hole, you’ve got to stop digging.   We’ve got to put a stop to these irresponsible spending habits. If we don’t stop this hole from growing, our children and grandchildren will bear the burden. 

"The majority in Congress is treating our country’s budget like a credit card with no credit limit. If America’s families have to live on a budget, so should our government."

Photo: Fourth District Rep. Mike Ross discusses  the rising deficits in front of the construction site of the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center Wednesday. Joining him are members of the Blue Dog Coalition, which is a caucus of House Members who promote fiscal responsibility.

This program provides support to fire departments by providing the tools and resources necessary to ensure both the safety of department personnel and the general public.  Grant funds are used to enhance firefighting operations, develop firefighter health and safety programs, acquire new equipment and vehicles, enhance EMS programs, and conduct fire prevention and safety programs. 

The following departments have been awarded grants for Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety:

· Glencoe Fire Dept.  (Glencoe)    $28,071
· Martin Creek Vol. Fire Dept. (Williford)   $15,813
· Fair Oaks Vol. Fire Dept. (McCrory)    $81,423
· Quail Creek Fire Dept. (Little Rock)    $25,317
· East Pulaski County Vol. Fire Dept. (North Little Rock)  $51,138
· White Bluff-Rye Hill Vol. Fire Dept. (Ft. Smith)   $112,500
· Sulphur Springs Dept. of Public Safety (Sulphur Springs) $37,080
· Yellville Vol. Fire Dept. (Yellville)     $47,925
· Four Communities Fire Dept. (Magnolia)   $44,766

These awards are the latest round of grant announcements.  To date, over 5,200 fire departments nationwide have received over $367 million to support their role as first responders in the neighborhoods and communities they serve as firefighters.

“The need to extend unemployment insurance is great,” said Ross. “Since January 2001, 3.2 million workers have lost their jobs. Before Congress adjourns this year, we must make sure that the millions of Americans who are out of work continue to receive help as they continue searching for jobs.”

Ross added his signature to a discharge petition Wednesday, which will allow immediate consideration of a bill to extend the federal benefits program for an additional six months, increase the amount of benefits to 26 weeks, include coverage for roughly one million workers who have already exhausted their extended benefits, and expand unemployment insurance coverage for low-wage and part-time workers. 

Ross also noted, “that while there are some positive economic indicators, huge job and trade deficits continue.  Thousands of newly unemployed workers are filing for unemployment benefits every week.  Only one out of four dislocated workers will be able to find a job before their benefits expire and manufacturing jobs continue to be exported to other countries.

 “Not only will extending unemployment benefits help unemployed Americans, but it is also an effective way to bring back the economy and create jobs. Economists have estimated that each $1.00 spent on unemployment benefits results in $1.73 in economic growth.”

If the discharge petition receives 218 signatures, the Republican Leadership will be required to allow the House of Representatives to consider the measure immediately.  A discharge petition is the mechanism used to force a House vote on legislation that has been bottled up in committee.