Democrats abrogating ‘most basic responsibility of governing’ by refusing to pass a budget (Rep. John Boehner)

Democratic
leaders argue that our nation’s $1.5 trillion deficit this year — and trillion-dollar deficits for as far as the eye can see — make it too hard to pass a
budget this year. But every American family knows what Washington
Democrats can’t seem to grasp: In tough times it’s more important — not
less — to have a budget, to set priorities and to live within your means.

In
February, House Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) and I sent a letter
to President Obama, inviting him to use his authority under the Budget Act of
1974 to force Congress to consider spending cuts immediately, and pledging to
support him should he choose to do so. We renewed our request in a meeting
with President Obama at the White House on Feb. 9, but never heard back
from the White House. Whip Cantor and I sent a follow-up
letter on May 4. Again, that request fell on deaf ears, even
though since 1974, presidents from both parties have used this authority to
submit 1,178 rescissions totaling $76 billion. 

This
year alone, Washington will spend a record $3.6 trillion. That’s $31,000
per household, or one out of every four dollars made in America. But
instead of cutting spending to create jobs, out-of-touch Democrats are
doubling down.  In fact, since last year, the president has signed into
law $1.8 trillion in new government spending and $670 billion in new
job-killing tax increases, which has exploded the deficit and pushed the
national debt over the $13 trillion mark, a number that will hit nearly $20
trillion by 2015.

More than 100 economists have told us a fiscally responsible budget will help create jobs, and
the American people know they’re right. House Republicans have offered
better solutions to cut spending now and impose real spending caps in the
future. We know that higher taxes, higher deficits and more debt are not
the answer. That’s why the majority leader is dead wrong about the future
of this country, and what we need to do — right now — to make sure the American
dream is alive and well for our kids and grandkids.