Fitzpatrick renews call for Senate budget action

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Fitzpatrick today renewed his call on Harry Reid and the Senate leadership to pass a responsible budget.  Forty days ago on February 19, after days of floor debate, the House of Representatives passed a budget that reflected the current fiscal reality facing the federal government and cut $100 billion in spending.  On March 9 the Senate rejected the House proposal and has taken no further action to enact a budget.

“For forty days and forty nights, Senator Reid has allowed the deluge of federal spending to continue unabated while hanging the specter of a government shutdown over the heads of all Americans,” Fitzpatrick said.  “With last month’s record deficit, the time for Senator Reid to act has come.”

On March 3, following Senate passage of a temporary spending bill, Congressman Fitzpatrick called on Harry Reid to enact a full and final budget that funds our national priorities while finally reining in out of control spending.

“One of the most important tasks assigned to Congress by the Constitution is to pass a budget.  Last year under the leadership of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, was the first time since 1974 that Congress failed to even propose, let alone pass, a budget.  If Harry Reid doesn’t like the House proposal, it’s time for him to put forth his own.  The American people and job creators should no longer be held hostage to the Senate’s inaction on the federal budget.”