posted by: Burr press office
U.S. Senator Richard Burr today issued the following statement on the President’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2011:
“The $3.8 trillion federal budget released by the White House today is not only historic in size, but ignores our growing debt obligation that will suffocate the next generation. It contains billions of dollars in new spending and higher taxes for American families and businesses. The American people are rightfully very upset with the level of spending and growing debt coming out of Washington. It is time we stop passing the responsibility to future generations and make the tough decisions necessary to get our spending habits under control.”
[read more]posted by: Sen. Richard Burr
Since coming back into session last week, the Senate has been debating and voting on amendments to H.J.Res 45, a House passed bill that would increase our national debt limit by almost $2 trillion. Unlike American families across the country who are tightening their belts and making tough decisions in order to make ends meet, there are those in Congress who think that the federal government shouldn’t have to make those decisions and should increase its spending even though we are already burying ourselves in debt.
Several amendments have been offered during debate on raising the debt ceiling that would help restore fiscal accountability to the federal government. I cosponsored an amendment introduced by Senator John Thune (R-SD) titled Erasing our National Debt Through Accountability and Responsibility Plan (ENDTARP). This bill potentially could have saved close to $300 billion by ending the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) and would have prevented the government from immediately spending unobligated TARP funds. Unfortunately, this amendment was defeated, but several other amendments have been offered that are awaiting a vote that could help curb federal spending.
We must stop extending the government’s ability to borrow money if we want to reign in federal spending. Stay tuned for updates as this debate continues.[read more]
posted by: Sen. Richard Burr
My heart goes out to all of those affected by the devastating earthquake in Haiti, and my thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and the rescue workers who are searching through the destruction and risking their own safety to save others.
If you would like to support the American Red Cross in their efforts to provide relief to those affected by the earthquake, please click here for more information. You can reach USAID’s Disaster Assistance page here.
[read more]posted by: Burr Press Office
U.S. Senator Richard Burr on the floor of the Senate discussing health care reform and the deal that Democrats made to buy the 60th vote they need to pass their bill on Sunday, December 20, 2009.
posted by: Burr Press Office
Senator Burr discusses the deal that Democrats made to gain the 60th vote they needed to pass their health care bill at a press conference on December 19, 2009.
Posted by: Sen. Richard Burr
Today, Senator Burr called into the Bill LuMaye show on WPTF in Raleigh to give North Carolinians an update on health care reform. To listen to the interview, please click here.
[read more]Posted by: Burr Press Office
This morning, Senator Burr spoke with Curtis Wright of the BIg Talker FM in Wilmington. They spoke about the ongoing debate on health care reform going on in Washington D.C. and the impact this bill will have on Americans.
[read more]For almost a week, news outlets have been covering a deal that has been negotiated by Majority Leader Reid (D-NV) concerning the expansion of Medicare for Americans 55-64 years of age. However, very few details about this deal have been shared with the American public or other members of the Senate.
The President and Senate Democrats have talked a lot about transparency throughout this process. In fact, the Majority Leader stated yesterday that "with an issue like this that affects every person in our country, transparency is key." The Majority Leader is correct that this bill stands to impact every single American; however, this process has not been transparent. Senator Reid has told reporters that he has sent his compromise language on expanding eligibility for Medicare to the Congressional Budget Office for analysis, but without allowing other Members of Congress to have any input, much less see the details. These meetings have not been taking place in committee rooms or other open forums aired on C-SPAN. Instead, they have taken place behind closed doors, keeping Congress and the American people in the dark.
If we are serious about reforming health care in a way that the American people want, then it is time we let the sunshine in and have an open debate about the contents of whatever deals are being negotiated.
[read more]Posted by: Burr Press Office
Today, Senator Burr spoke with Shannon Bream of Fox News during a Sunday session of Congress. They spoke about the omnibus spending bill the Seante is voting on today, as well as the health care bill being debated on the Seante floor.
Posted by: Sen. Richard Burr
One promise that has been made repeatedly about the Senate health care reform bill is that it will reduce, not increase, the cost of health care. However, last night, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Office of the Actuary, the official government actuary for the Medicare program, released analysis of the Reid bill and found that it will actually increase national health care spending by an estimated $234 billion. Currently, health care expenditures account for 16% of our nation's GDP. This is unsustainable, and one goal of reforming health care should be to enact sound policies that drive health care costs down. Unfortunately, the CMS Actuary has confirmed that the bill will do exactly the opposite.
The CMS Actuary also stated that "providers might tend to accept more patients who have private insurance and fewer Medicare or Medicaid patients, exacerbating existing access problems for the latter group." This statement is particularly troubling given recent press reports that Senate Democrats are now considering including a Medicare buy-in provision that would further strain the Medicare program's long-term insolvency. Jeopardizing access to care for our nation's seniors is unconscionable. I support reform that lowers the cost of health care and increases access to quality care for American citizens, but this bill does neither.
[read more]