08.16.11

Following Cut, Cap, Balance Vote, Sessions Challenges Democrat Leaders To Finally Present Plan Of Their Own

“It is likely the president and the Democrat Senate, who control the levers of power in Washington, will continue to resist the spending cuts we need to restore fiscal balance… It’s time for those who oppose Cut, Cap, and Balance to bring forward their alternative. The media, the public, and lawmakers should demand it.”

WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, issued the following statement today after a vote on tabling the motion to proceed to the Cut, Cap, and Balance Act of 2011 (H.R. 2560), the Senate version of which Sessions is an original cosponsor. The Senate voted 51-46 to block consideration of the bill:

“I am disappointed by the Democrat leadership in the Senate. The Majority Leader made a commitment that we would be in session through the weekend to work on the only debt limit plan that has been made public or put in legislative form: Cut, Cap, and Balance. The extreme language the Majority Leader used to attack this legislation is shocking and offensive. The bill passed the House and enjoys wide popular support. The White House has no proposal, and Senate Democrats—who haven’t passed a budget in 814 days—have no proposal. They just continue to spend and grow the debt.

Cut, Cap, and Balance would, once and for all, put our nation on a sound financial path. It would cut spending immediately, cap it to keep it from rising, and require Congress send a balanced budget amendment for state ratification.

But Leader Reid shut down debate and forced a vote today to table consideration of the bill. Well, if Democrats have a better plan, let’s see it—let’s debate this out in the open. If they want changes to the bill, let them offer amendments. That’s how

democracy works. The answer is not more secret negotiations orchestrated by the White House.

It’s time for those who oppose Cut, Cap, and Balance to bring forward their alternative. The media, the public, and lawmakers should demand it.

It is likely the president and the Democrat Senate, who control the levers of power in Washington, will continue to resist the spending cuts we need to restore fiscal balance. Under President Obama we are adding $4 billion to our debt a day—almost three times the rate in the years before he took office. But, in the end, I am confident the good sense and wisdom of the American people will prevail.”

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