February 2, 2010

I am preparing to participate in a Budget Hearing today where we will be exploring the President's fiscal year 2011 budget with White House Budget Director Peter Orszag.  Mr. Orszag was the head of the Congressional Budget Office prior to going over to the White House so I have had the opportunity to question him a few times in previous years. He is smart and thorough -- but he has a HUGE budget to defend today so it will be interesting to see how he responds to my questions and those of my fellow Republicans.  The President's budget spends roughly $3.8 TRILLION next year -- a nearly $800 BILLION increase over the Democrat passed budget of just two years ago.  On the discretionary side, the President's budget spends $1.38 TRILLION next year.  Just two years ago, the Democrat passed budget spent $1.18 TRILLION in discretionary spending.  This clearly shows that the President waited until an additional $200 BILLION had been added to the discretionary budget BEFORE calling for a discretionary freeze.  The voters in MA, VA, and NJ had a clear and consistent message for Congress and the President.  They told us to get serious about deficit reduction and spending controls.  The numbers I have shown above clearly demonstrate that the President does not understand the message voters sent.  I am willing to work with the President to truly reduce spending -- but his initial offer is not a serious attempt to stop out-of-control spending.  We need to do much better.