GOP Leader: "Economists say government's failure to rein in spending is hurting the economy and spending cuts are needed, yet the Democrats can't even propose a budget."

Contact: Michael Steel, Kevin Smith, 202-225-4000

WASHINGTON, May 12 /Standard Newswire/ -- At a press conference this morning with House GOP leaders, House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) highlighted House Democratic leaders' plans to punt on doing a budget and continue their massive spending spree.  Boehner released the following statement:

"Every family has to live within a budget, and government should be held to the same common-sense standard.  But House Democrats are punting on doing a budget at all.  Instead they just want to go on spending money we don't have and piling more debt on our kids and grandkids.  This out-of-control spending spree is scaring the hell out of the American people.  And it's hurting our economy. 
 
"Economists say government's failure to rein in spending is hurting the economy and spending cuts are needed, yet the Democrats can't even propose a budget.  President Obama promised the American people a 'war on deficits.'  Now we have red ink as far as the eye can see and a massive Washington spending spree that continues unchecked.  This is a failure to lead.  And it's yet another example of the Democrats' serious credibility gap.  It's time for Washington to start listening to the American people.  They want us to work together to stop the out-of-control spending spree and create jobs.  So where is the Democrats' budget?"

NOTE: In 2006 then-Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) said enacting a budget was "the most basic responsibility of governing."  Rep. John Spratt (D-SC), the top Democrat on the House Budget Committee, put it more succinctly that year when he said, "if you can't budget, you can't govern."