Under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, by April 15 of each year, Congress is instructed to pass a resolution setting the federal government’s budget for the next fiscal year. Yet nearly a month after April 15, neither the House of Representatives nor the Senate has voted on a budget resolution for fiscal year 2011, and recent news reports have indicated that Democratic leaders in Congress may decide not to consider a budget resolution at all this year.

Many members of Congress disagree on the best course of action for closing this year’s $1.5 trillion federal budget deficit. I strongly believe that our top priority must be getting federal spending under control. I am supporting a measure that would cap federal spending at 20% of our economy. Unfortunately, many members of the current Majority would prefer to keep raising taxes to solve our problems. I believe it is fundamentally irresponsible for the Speaker to refuse to even debate this critically important question. The financial meltdown in Greece and the state budget crisis in California illustrate the need for immediate action to remedy our national government’s fiscal imbalance.

Although confronting the federal deficit will be painful and politically difficult, it is also absolutely essential. That process cannot begin until Congress passes a budget. Last month, I joined a number of other House Republicans in sending a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi urging her to bring the budget resolution to a vote. While I am disappointed in the Speaker’s lack of response to our request, I will continue to speak up for responsible budgeting and fiscal restraint in Washington.