Where’s the Budget?

Despite the need for a federal budget that will work to strengthen the economy today and reverse the legacy of debt for the next generation, nothing’s happened this year in the Senate, and the story isn’t any better when it comes to White House leadership.

To try to bring about responsible action, this week I joined 10 other senators who serve on the Senate Budget Committee to urge the committee chairman to schedule an open and robust debate when he presents a budget proposal for committee action.

Earlier this year, Senator Kent Conrad, who chairs the committee, said “the nation is headed for a fiscal cliff.”  The budget resolution he brings forward might be the most important budget the Senate will consider in our lifetimes.  In the letter I signed with other Budget Committee Republicans, we asked for Chairman Conrad’s proposal to be made available at least three days in advance of committee action, so that it can be read completely.  We also asked the Chairman to allow time for committee members to offer amendments in open public meetings.  This will allow the public to be engaged in the process.  The debate over this blueprint for the federal budget should not happen behind closed doors.

It’s also time for meaningful leadership from the President.  He started the year by sending a budget to Capitol Hill that ignored his own bipartisan deficit commission report.  Then, in April, President Obama was forced to give a speech about deficit reduction after the House Budget Committee Chairman had offered a serious budget proposal for consideration, in contrast to the absence of leadership by the President.  Even so, following the President’s speech, there’s still nothing more than budget talking points from the White House.  The administration hasn’t turned the speech into an actual proposal, and it’s unclear if or when it will.

No more time should be squandered.  The $14 trillion debt is eating up scarce resources and inhibits the private-sector economic activity needed to create jobs and opportunities.