We Need to Balance the Budget

A recommitment to our roots as the party of fiscal discipline is one of my strongest goals for our Conference.

There is an opportunity for us to begin to do this immediately.

In the Continuing Resolution we take up in December, we should include a provision requiring a balanced budget by fiscal year 2009.  If the Congress fails to balance the budget by 2009, then in Fiscal 2010 all Federal spending other than Social Security, Medicare and interest on the National Debt shall be subject to review in order to balance the budget.

The Democrats have said they favor a balanced budget and have indicated a willingness to work in a bipartisan manner.  We should test these intentions be beginning immediately to restore fiscal discipline to our budget process.