Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2013

Floor Speech

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Mr. YOUNG of Indiana. Mr. Chairman, as our national recession near its fourth year, unemployment stays above 8 percent and gas prices continue to skyrocket, our brave men and women continue to serve in harm's way overseas, this Nation is in trouble, and I wonder which of the following choices would Americans choose if they had to pick one. Would it be A, an across-the-board income tax increase? Would it be B, a new tax increase on gas, electricity, and natural gas? Would it be C, a cut in funding for our soldiers to levels that the Pentagon warns is dangerous to our national security?

Now, I suspect, Mr. Chairman, that the American people, if given the choice, would prefer to have an option D, none of the above. But, unfortunately, they're not given this choice in the Progressive Caucus budget. It forces, instead, all three unpalatable options on the American public that is already struggling.

It raises taxes in every income tax bracket to the tune of $4.4 trillion, it raises the price at the pump and on utility bills ever higher by creating a new tax on all fossil fuel-based energy sources, and it makes no attempt to offset the defense spending sequester. And while I do commend my colleagues for making the effort to develop solutions to the Nation's problems and getting specific on those solutions, I think the American people can do better.

We House Republicans have given Americans that none-of-the-above option through our own budget. Our budget responsibly solves our Nation's debt challenges, it responsibly cuts our spending, it avoids a tax increase, and it strengthens programs like Medicare and Medicaid, important to so many Americans. Most importantly, it does so by lightening the burden of government on hardworking American taxpayers, not burdening them with more government.

I respect my colleagues, and urge my colleagues, however, to vote against the Progressive Caucus budget.

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