The Democratic Party leadership in Congress has decided that it is too political to put forth a fiscal year 2011 budget.  The truth is too painful!

I have readily admitted that Republicans were thrown out of power due to our leadership mistakes, including spending.  However, the deficits and debt are mounting incredibly fast under Democratic leadership.

The President did his part – he submitted a budget to Congress.  It would push federal spending to a record $3.8 trillion, including a projected $1.3 trillion deficit.

The Congressional Budget Act says that Congress should complete a conference report on the budget resolution by April 15.  That date has obviously passed.  And on May 13 the Majority Leader announced on the floor of the House that there will be no budget this year. 

Just to be clear, in the federal process there are two parts.  The budget is just an outline for federal spending.  It is not mandatory.  I would support new legislation that requires the President’s signature on a budget with legally binding numbers.  The second half of the federal process is appropriation bills that spell out the exact dollar amounts for each department, agency, or branch of government.

A Washington publication, The Hill, recently reported, “The House has never failed to pass an annual budget resolution since the current budget rules were put into place in 1974, according to a Congressional Research Service report.”

That is not leadership.  Instead, the House has taken up or plans to take up bills over the past and next couple weeks with a total cost of over $200 billion, according to a May 11 article in The Hill.

As an alternative to that increased spending, the House Republicans have launched the “You Cut” program.  It lists some suggested places to start cutting the federal government, but also seeks your input.  We have to start somewhere. 

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