February 04, 2013

CrossSpeak: How Republicans Plan to Transform the President's Budget into the Paul Ryan Budget

Republicans in Congress still can't seem to realize that their Party did not win the Presidency in 2012.

One example of this is HR 444 REQUIRE A PLAN Act that was discussed today in the House.

Parenthetically the Act also adds the insulting attack remark erroneously directed towards the President, that it can also be called the "Require Presidential Leadership and No Deficit Act." My guess is that the Republicans see leadership as making strong cuts into social programs to hurt the Americans who can least afford it and who most depend on it. This would follow right in step with the Ryan budget and Republicans misguided thinking that revenue is off the table in budget talks.

The Act introduced by Republican Mr. PRICE of Georgia (for himself, Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin, Ms. JENKINS, and Mr. SESSIONS) requires that, "if the President’s fiscal year 2014 budget does not achieve balance in a fiscal year covered by such budget, the President shall submit a supplemental unified budget by April 1, 2013, which identifies a fiscal year in which balance is achieved, and for other purposes."

My favorite amendment was submitted by Mark Takano of California which makes changes to the "Findings" section of the act. He wants clarification that Congress holds responsibility for passing budgets and appropriating funds. A responsibility that some Republicans have attempted to side-step. That one was allowed.