Paul Ryan: Americans Deserve Better Than Empty Promises From A Broke Government

House Budget Committee Chairman calls for honest leadership and fiscal responsibility. Washington – House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (WI-01) issued the following statement in response to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s proposal to lock in elevated levels of spending: “I remain hopeful that the President and his party will work with House Republicans to cut government spending and help grow the economy.

Over the past two years, spending on domestic government agencies increased by nearly 25%. This reckless spending spree failed to create jobs, plunged our nation deeper into debt, and stifled growth by fueling uncertainty.

“Last week, House Republicans sent a bill to the Senate that funds the government for the rest of the fiscal year while fulfilling our pledge to bring spending back to pre-stimulus, pre-bailout levels. Regrettably, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid insists on locking in elevated spending levels, rejecting warnings from economists and demands from the American people to get Washington’s fiscal house in order. If Senate Democrats block legislation that would fund the government for the rest of the year at more reasonable spending levels, House Republicans intend to pass a short-term bill to keep the government running, but one that actually cuts spending. Republicans remain committed to restraining the explosive growth of government, which is critical to spur economic growth and job creation.

“Responsible leadership requires honestly addressing our nation’s most pressing fiscal and economic challenges. Americans deserve better than continued empty promises from a government heading for bankruptcy. We must advance spending cuts and real reforms to ensure real security and a path to prosperity.”

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TEXT CREDIT: Committee On The Budget U.S. House of Representatives 207 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Phone: 202.226.7270

IMAGE CREDIT: RepPaulRyan

Mike Huckabee "very well may" run in 2012 VIDEO

Chris Wragge talks to former Ark. governor and potential GOP presidential contender for 2012, Mike Huckabee about his new book, "A Simple Government."

"If they read this, they'll know where I stand, If they read this and say, 'That makes sense,' then that's an encouragement for me to take the next step. If they read it and say, 'That guy is a nut,' then, well, maybe I'll have a different conclusion."

"You can't spend money you don't have, You can't borrow money that you can't afford to pay back. Every citizen knows that. Every small business owner knows that. It's like government is the last entity on Earth to get that message."

"They can't expect to pay $1 in and get $57 from the state as a pension match. Nobody else gets that. And that's what's unrealistic. So, if the unions don't come to some type of reality, then they're going to get busted, and if not by the governor, they'll get busted by reality in terms of a budget that can't manage that sort of cost."

"Sometime, either now or later, the government will shut down, either from bankruptcy in the future or from a targeted effort to try get someone's attention that we're overspending and not managing at all."

VIDEO and TEXT CREDIT: Huckabee: I "very well may" seek GOP nod in '12