The GOP’s empty budget resolution (Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr.)

What family in America would sit down at the kitchen table and set up a budget without a bottom-line? We could be here discussing Chairman Paul Ryan’s idea is to replace Medicaid with vouchers. Or we could be discussing the plan to cut education spending 50 percent, and eliminate Amtrak and Public Broadcasting.
 
We could be debating the plan Majority Leader Eric Cantor hailed, which would result in the firing 4,000 FBI agents and 1,500 DEA agents.
 
I may disagree with some policies but I am here to work to solve problems. And to say we will drop spending levels up to 30 percent, but provide no specifics, is being less then genuine.
 
As General Colin Powell recently said, “I’m very put off when people just say let’s go back and freeze to the level two years ago.  Tell me what you’re going to cut, and nobody up there yet is being very, very candid about what they are going to cut to fix this problem.”
 
The public has been very clear. Job Creation should be our top priority. But, we are now in week-three of this Congress and we have yet to see a single jobs bill.
 
So far, we have abandoned the principals of pay-as-you-go and added $230 billion to the deficit by repealing health care.
 
And before us is yet another piece of legislation being used as a political gimmick, instead of an honest conversation to seek out compromise with the purpose aiding the economy.
 
Once again good policy takes a backseat to a good talking point.
 
As a new member of the Budget Committee, I am willing and eager to work hard to find comprehensive bipartisan solutions to strengthening our economy.
 
Please let me know when you are ready to sit down and work.