"We must be mindful that many of the proposed spending reductions would disproportionately affect the neediest among us, including housing and heating assistance. Likewise, some of the proposed cuts would be economically counterproductive, negatively impacting our ability to innovate and invest in research and development."
Kudos to Senator Brown (R-MA) for blasting Republican budget writers for attempting to cut programs that assist the elderly/low income Americans and invest in research and development. Link to Senator Brown's letter to Senators Reid, McConnell, Conrad, Sessions, Inouye and Cochran
"Since the beginning of the 112th Congress, the House and Senate have been seeking common ground to finish the appropriations work for FY 2011. Sadly, rather than reaching a workable, bi-partisan solution to responsibly address our staggering deficit, we are repeatedly given a false choice between CR proposals that either don’t go far enough to reduce federal spending and proposals that set the wrong priorities that would disproportionately affect low-income families and seniors, while doing little to address critical, long-term issues."The Tea Partiers may hate him, but let's hope that more traditional Republicans step forward to demand a workable bipartisan solution to address the deficit without cutting programs that affect low-income families and seniors.
From Senator Scott Brown's 3/31/2011 Floor Speech.
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) spoke on the Senate floor this afternoon about the ongoing budget negotiations in Washington and his priorities. Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery:
“Mr. President, I come to the floor today to talk about the ongoing negotiations occurring between the White House, Speaker Boehner, and my colleagues here in the Senate concerning the appropriations for the current fiscal year.
“Since the beginning of the 112th Congress, the House and Senate have been trying to find common ground to finish the appropriations work for FY 2011. Instead of reaching a long-term compromise, we have passed no fewer than six short-term continuing resolutions.
“Six funding resolutions that provide little in the way of responsibly addressing our staggering deficit; little certainty to our trading partners; and absolutely no certainty to the world market in terms of our ability to manage our nation’s finances.
“Sadly, rather than reaching a workable, bi-partisan solution to responsibly address our staggering deficit, which is expected to reach nearly $1.5 trillion this fiscal year, our leaders have repeatedly given us a false choice between CR proposals that either don’t go far enough to reduce federal spending and proposals that establish the wrong priorities that would disproportionately affect low-income families and seniors. One of my Senate colleagues has characterized this process as a ‘Hobson’s choice,’ and I agree.
“I have been disappointed by the pace of negotiations between the two chambers. And I have been disappointed by what appears to be a lack of seriousness to truly grapple with our $14.3 trillion debt and our historic deficit. Unfortunately, and despite passing six different FY 2011 Continuing Resolutions, each with the understanding that passage would move bi-partisan negotiations further along, we are once again faced with the likelihood of a government shutdown.
“Like many of my colleagues, I hope that is not the case.
“It’s important that we put these negotiations in perspective--this is a negotiation about half a year of spending that involves just one small part of the federal budget. We have yet to begun to talk about the truly tough choices that lie ahead.
“Mr. President, a government shutdown absolutely serves no purpose and is in no one’s best interests. It’s not in our country’s best interests; it’s not in workers’ best interests; it’s not in the global economy’s best interest. And I stand ready to do what needs to be done to ensure that we don’t shutdown the government.
“Now, I am encouraged by the recent developments in the negotiations, with news breaking yesterday that a possible “deal” is close or very possible. This is good news, but with six continuing resolutions under our belts already, I know better than to think we’re out of the woods and will definitely avoid a shutdown.
“As I have said before--and as my colleagues know--achieving a balanced budget will not be painless. It will require tough choices and real compromise. It will require reasonable people, who might disagree on a number of policy issues, to set those differences aside and work on behalf of what’s in the best interest of our nation. I stand ready to work with each of you, to do what it takes—and to put politics aside—and work on behalf of a greater good to ensure that Congress reach a bi-partisan compromise for FY 2011 and avoid a government shutdown.
“Mr. President, our collective work begins by having a clear understanding of the seriousness of our budget crisis and what is at stake if we fail to address it. We can all agree that we simply cannot continue on this reckless, unsustainable course. Reducing and eliminating needless spending and programs are appropriate, but the needless reduction in spending, without considering economic and social impacts is simply irresponsible.
“We must be mindful that many of the proposed spending reductions would disproportionately affect the neediest among us, including housing and heating assistance. Likewise, some of the proposed cuts would be economically counterproductive, negatively impacting our ability to innovate and invest in research and development.
“This does not need to be so.
“Our efforts to reduce spending and rein in our deficit and debt do not need to be a false choice or result in a zero sum negotiation.
“I am absolutely committed to reducing our country’s deficit and believe that deficit reduction is a necessary goal for the betterment of our country. But I am equally committed to the notion that deficit reduction should not be achieved in isolation of our priorities as a government and as a society.
“Mr. President, I cannot stress enough---how we go about addressing our country’s debt and spending habits says just as much about us as country as our spending problem.
“I believe that responsible and meaningful bi-partisan support must be found and forged if we are to achieve long-term fiscal stability. And I intend to be a part of the discussions and the solutions for how to move our country forward, without eliminating programs that are successful, cost-effective, or critical to the livelihood of the neediest among us
“I am hopeful that my colleagues will join me in finding reasonable and appropriate solutions for how we move our country forward with a foot firmly planted on solid, fiscal ground.
“Thank you, Mr. President. And I yield the floor.”
“Since the beginning of the 112th Congress, the House and Senate have been trying to find common ground to finish the appropriations work for FY 2011. Instead of reaching a long-term compromise, we have passed no fewer than six short-term continuing resolutions.
“Six funding resolutions that provide little in the way of responsibly addressing our staggering deficit; little certainty to our trading partners; and absolutely no certainty to the world market in terms of our ability to manage our nation’s finances.
“Sadly, rather than reaching a workable, bi-partisan solution to responsibly address our staggering deficit, which is expected to reach nearly $1.5 trillion this fiscal year, our leaders have repeatedly given us a false choice between CR proposals that either don’t go far enough to reduce federal spending and proposals that establish the wrong priorities that would disproportionately affect low-income families and seniors. One of my Senate colleagues has characterized this process as a ‘Hobson’s choice,’ and I agree.
“I have been disappointed by the pace of negotiations between the two chambers. And I have been disappointed by what appears to be a lack of seriousness to truly grapple with our $14.3 trillion debt and our historic deficit. Unfortunately, and despite passing six different FY 2011 Continuing Resolutions, each with the understanding that passage would move bi-partisan negotiations further along, we are once again faced with the likelihood of a government shutdown.
“Like many of my colleagues, I hope that is not the case.
“It’s important that we put these negotiations in perspective--this is a negotiation about half a year of spending that involves just one small part of the federal budget. We have yet to begun to talk about the truly tough choices that lie ahead.
“Mr. President, a government shutdown absolutely serves no purpose and is in no one’s best interests. It’s not in our country’s best interests; it’s not in workers’ best interests; it’s not in the global economy’s best interest. And I stand ready to do what needs to be done to ensure that we don’t shutdown the government.
“Now, I am encouraged by the recent developments in the negotiations, with news breaking yesterday that a possible “deal” is close or very possible. This is good news, but with six continuing resolutions under our belts already, I know better than to think we’re out of the woods and will definitely avoid a shutdown.
“As I have said before--and as my colleagues know--achieving a balanced budget will not be painless. It will require tough choices and real compromise. It will require reasonable people, who might disagree on a number of policy issues, to set those differences aside and work on behalf of what’s in the best interest of our nation. I stand ready to work with each of you, to do what it takes—and to put politics aside—and work on behalf of a greater good to ensure that Congress reach a bi-partisan compromise for FY 2011 and avoid a government shutdown.
“Mr. President, our collective work begins by having a clear understanding of the seriousness of our budget crisis and what is at stake if we fail to address it. We can all agree that we simply cannot continue on this reckless, unsustainable course. Reducing and eliminating needless spending and programs are appropriate, but the needless reduction in spending, without considering economic and social impacts is simply irresponsible.
“We must be mindful that many of the proposed spending reductions would disproportionately affect the neediest among us, including housing and heating assistance. Likewise, some of the proposed cuts would be economically counterproductive, negatively impacting our ability to innovate and invest in research and development.
“This does not need to be so.
“Our efforts to reduce spending and rein in our deficit and debt do not need to be a false choice or result in a zero sum negotiation.
“I am absolutely committed to reducing our country’s deficit and believe that deficit reduction is a necessary goal for the betterment of our country. But I am equally committed to the notion that deficit reduction should not be achieved in isolation of our priorities as a government and as a society.
“Mr. President, I cannot stress enough---how we go about addressing our country’s debt and spending habits says just as much about us as country as our spending problem.
“I believe that responsible and meaningful bi-partisan support must be found and forged if we are to achieve long-term fiscal stability. And I intend to be a part of the discussions and the solutions for how to move our country forward, without eliminating programs that are successful, cost-effective, or critical to the livelihood of the neediest among us
“I am hopeful that my colleagues will join me in finding reasonable and appropriate solutions for how we move our country forward with a foot firmly planted on solid, fiscal ground.
“Thank you, Mr. President. And I yield the floor.”
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