My vote on the short-term, 3-week continuing resolution

On March 15, the House of Representatives passed another short-term Continuing Resolution (CR) cutting $6 billion from federal spending while also keeping the government open for three more weeks.  My vote for this bill, combined with my vote for $4 billion in cuts in the prior two-week short-term CR, amounts to a $10 billion cut in federal spending within just five weeks – keeping in line with House Republican’s promise to cut $100 billion off of federal spending for FY 2011.

Believe me; I realize that the $10 billion that we have cut is only the tip of the iceberg. Significant and substantial cuts must still be made when crafting further budget resolutions, and I will not stand for anything less. I also realize that cutting spending this way – a week at a time –is not optimal. I’d prefer to see a longer-term solution, but Democrats in the Senate need to step-up, show leadership and accept the tough spending choices we are making in the House.

Several weeks ago, I was proud to vote for a bill introduced by House Republicans that saved taxpayers more than $100 billion dollars – the largest cut in spending since the end of World War II. Sadly, the Democrat-controlled Senate has yet to pass this budget plan. So far the Senate and White House have not come up with a single solution to cut spending, while House Republicans have shown we are willing to make tough choices.

Right now, we are winning the fight on spending. President Obama and Senate Democrats have no plan of action, and they know it. This is obvious by the fact that President Obama sent Vice President Biden to the Hill to lead his negotiations on the budget, only to have him leave shortly thereafter for a 10-day trip through Europe.

It is important to note, that by passing this CR we will have effectively given the Democrats more than a month to come up with their own ideas to reduce spending. The ball is now in the Democrats’ court to face reality and accept the hard spending choices that we all need to make. I will not allow the President and Senate Democrats to continue down this path of fiscal irresponsibility. 

I promised that I would cut spending and I plan on making good on that promise. For this reason, I have cosponsored H.J.Res. 1, a balanced budget constitutional amendment introduced by Rep. Bob Goodlatte, which would mandate future Congresses balance the budget. I will continue to stand with the Tennessee taxpayer against irresponsible federal spending and fiscal mismanagement. I look forward to working to ensure House Republicans keep the promise we made to the American people.

Thank you,

Scott DesJarlais