By Doug Lamborn
I propose this simple New Year’s resolution for Congress, pass a budget before borrowing any more money.
Today marks the 1,000th day without a budget from Senate Democrats. The last time they passed a budget, you had never heard of the iPad. Tiger Woods was only known for his golfing abilities. General Motors had never declared bankruptcy. You had never heard of Swine flu.
Despite the lack of a spending plan, or perhaps because of that, Washington’s borrowing and spending continues out of control.
The president recently asked Congress for additional borrowing power of $1.2 trillion. This would bring our national debt to $16.4 trillion. Under President Obama’s watch, the national debt is projected to increase by $5.8 trillion or nearly 60 percent in just four years, from $10.6 trillion to $16.4 trillion. Last week the House passed a resolution disapproving of President Obama’s request to once again increase the nation’s borrowing limit.
To get our spending under control, we must actually set spending priorities and put a plan forward to reduce our national debt. It is bad enough to borrow like there is no tomorrow. But to do so without even a budget in place is simply wrong.