Martha's Blog

Democrats Fail Most Basic Responsibility of Governing

After several months of buck-passing and excuses, the Democrats in Congress made it official last week: they will not offer a budget resolution for Fiscal Year 2011.
  
This will be the first time a House Majority will fail to pass a budget since the Congressional Budget Act was adopted in 1974.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), who in 2006 called passing a budget the “most basic responsibility of governing,” cited the ballooning deficit as key reason for these move. Earlier this spring, he acknowledged that Democrats were worried about the political consequences of passing a budget in with mid-term elections on the horizon in November. Rather than face a tough vote and give the American public a real sense at the fiscal disaster in Washington, they are kicking the can down the road until after November. 

This is a clear failure of leadership and of political will. Every single member of the Democratic caucus owns responsibility for it.

The Democrats in Congress are like the teenager who crashes the car while speeding and then tries to hide it from his parents. They are afraid of the consequences of the voters learning the true extent of their reckless spending spree.

We need to restore common sense fiscal restraint in Washington. Cut wasteful spending through all means necessary, balance the budget, and restore fiscal discipline that will help the private sector create jobs and get our economy back on track.

Part of leadership is making tough decisions. It’s very clear the Democrats are simply refusing to make tough decisions on spending. I know from experience that it’s not always easy to cut spending – but it’s absolutely necessary.

We need to hold our elected officials accountable. By failing to pass a budget, the Democrats are trying to escape accountability so they can continue their reckless tax, spend, and borrow agenda unchecked.

Despite the best efforts of the Democrats, the American people will not be fooled. The Democrats in Congress will pay at the voting booth, not only for their wasteful Washington spending but for their failure to govern.