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Republicans in Congress criticized President Obama and Senate Democrats Saturday morning for failing to produce a realistic federal budget.
In their weekly radio address, Republicans trotted out freshman Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, who lamented his servitude in "Sen. Harry Reid's do-nothing Senate."
The reference to the Senate Democratic leader from Nevada called attention to something the Senate hasn't done in three years: pass a budget blueprint. Johnson also claimed that Obama's more detailed budget was defeated in a 99-0 vote; it actually was a procedural motion to consider the budget.
Democrats say last year's Budget Control Act set the parameters for this year's appropriations bills, so no budget blueprint is needed. In reality, they do not want to debate taxes and spending because of potential amendments Republicans would force them to consider (read: spending cuts and tax cuts).
"Democrats in the Senate refuse to be held accountable," Johnson said. "They either don't have a plan, or they simply do not want their fingerprints on one. Maybe that's because their plans generally rely on taking more money out of the pockets of hardworking American families."
Here's Sen. Johnson's full address:
Hi, I'm Ron Johnson, from the great state of Wisconsin. Sixteen months ago, with no previous political experience, I began serving in Senator Harry Reid's do-nothing Senate.
It is hard to convey how frustrating it has been.
My background is in accounting and manufacturing in the private sector. Like most Americans, I'm used to getting things done ... producing results.
The American people understand that we are facing enormous economic challenges. And they're looking for solutions, not political games.
They have every right to expect their elected officials to be responsible and accountable. We should be making the tough decisions, taking the hard votes, and developing real solutions to our nation's urgent problems.
But that's not what's happening in the United States Senate.
It has been over three years since the Senate passed a budget. Think about that. Even though families and most businesses produce budgets to help control their finances, the largest financial entity in the world is operating without one.
Why? Because Democrats in the Senate refuse to be held accountable. They either don't have a plan, or they simply do not want their fingerprints on one. Maybe that's because their plans generally rely on taking more money out of the pockets of hardworking American families.
Republicans have proven that we are willing to be held accountable. Since regaining a majority in the House, Republicans have fulfilled our responsibility every year by passing a budget. But so far, those good faith efforts have died in the Democrat-led Senate.
For his part, President Obama has done nothing to encourage the Senate to pass a budget. Just this week in the Senate, the President's budget lost by a vote of 0-99. Last month, it failed in the House by a vote of 0-414. And last year, his budget lost 0-97 in the Senate.
This is a stunning repudiation of his leadership. At a time when America requires sober financial management, President Obama's fiscal plans have been so unserious, that not a single member of his own party supported them with their vote.
Without a budget, is it any wonder that America's fiscal house is in total disarray?
President Obama has submitted four budgets, but none of them ever included a plan to save Social Security or Medicare. These are important programs that millions of Americans rely on. Without reform, they will not survive. And yet President Obama offers no solutions.
And because of the exploding debt caused by his failed policies, Americans are suffering every day from a faltering economy, and the prospects for our children and grandchildren are being diminished.
If you're concerned about the financial future of America, these are not encouraging results.
We all want to see America prosper. We all want every American to have an equal opportunity to build a good life for themselves and their family.
And we are all disappointed by the failure of President Obama's economic policies.
President Obama promised far more. If we had only known that at this point during his term in office:
Average gas prices would more than double,Our nation's debt would increase by $5.3 trillion,And unemployment would never fall below 8%.Instead of concentrating on job creation, President Obama has concentrated on growing government and increasing its control over our lives.
His budget-busting stimulus plan grew government, grew our debt, but failed to grow our economy.
President Obama then turned his attention to taking over 1/6 of our economy. He promised his healthcare plan would lower family premiums by $2,500 per year, but instead, they have increased by $2,300.
The President and members of his Administration are true believers in big government. They point to the 46 million Americans now on food stamps as a metric of success. It is not. It is a metric of failure that highlights how his policies have not put Americans back to work.
Because of his policies, dependence on government has increased, and individual opportunity has declined.
The social welfare economic model of Europe is collapsing. Countries like Greece have made promises to their citizens that they simply cannot afford. President Obama has put this country on the exact same path.
We can do better than this. America should do better.
It is time to return to the values and principles that made this country great. I grew up in an America that valued hard work and celebrated success. America became the economic engine of the world, not because of government, but because millions of Americans had the freedom to pursue their dreams.
We can reclaim this heritage once again and build a society where hard work is rewarded and every American has the opportunity to succeed.
Republicans are ready, willing, and able to lead this noble effort.
Thank you.
