The Honorable Tim Bishop
One Minute Statement on H. Con. Res. 376
FY 2007 Budget Resolution
May 17, 2006

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this “martial-law”/same-day rule and in opposition to the budget resolution.

Every landmark budget reform enacted by Congress was intended to make the process more efficient, so we can go about the business of funding programs important to the American people, particularly aid and relief to those who need our help most.

We can all agree that the budget is a supposed to be the congressional blue-print for funding America’s priorities.  Regrettably, however, the Republicans have abrogated this responsibility on two counts: 

First, this resolution comes halfway into the calendar year – and halfway into the third quarter of the current fiscal year – far too late to responsibly budget for America’s priorities. 

Second, this budget comes sandwiched between $70 billion worth of tax cuts for the most comfortable and $100 billion in off-budget supplemental funds. 

This kind of fiscal irresponsibility is why most American people disapprove of the 109 ^th Congress and why a change of leadership is needed before our country sinks deeper into red ink and before the budget resolution becomes completely irrelevant.

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