Lubbock Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-TX) today delivered his opening remarks at the markup of five budget process reform bills.

Arrington's comments underscored the importance of addressing national debt and ensuring fiscal responsibility. He emphasized the need to awaken the American public to the ticking debt clock and the potential consequences if confidence is lost among those who purchase U.S. treasuries.

"I think that's the foundation here, when we talk about strengthening the balance sheet and reducing our debt to GDP," Arrington said. "We need to Sound the Alarm and wake the American people up that debt clock keeps ticking."

The chairman expressed concern over a potential sovereign debt crisis and its impact on the country's economy, security, leadership, and global standing. He highlighted the critical role of the Budget Committee in preventing such a crisis.

"And I think because there isn't this calamitous effect, I think people are sort of lulled to sleep over it," he continued. "And once it happens, and we lose the confidence of those who we borrow from who buy our treasuries, then we're going to be stuck with $2 trillion annually of a gap in what we spend on People's Government."

Despite potential disagreements on budget process reforms, Arrington praised his colleagues for their bipartisan efforts towards consensus-building.

"Again, this has been a bipartisan effort," he said. "There'll be times we disagree, even on budget process reforms. That's great. That's okay. I love the debate. I love the candor. I love the passion from both sides."

In summary, Arrington expressed optimism that each reform bill would contribute to more fiscally responsible outcomes, provide more transparency for taxpayers, increase accuracy for decision-makers, and enhance accountability for lawmakers.

"So I guess to summarize...I think each one of them in their own right in one way or another will work to ensure more fiscally responsible outcomes, provide more transparency for taxpayers, more accuracy for us as decision makers, and will increase accountability for lawmakers in the United States Congress," he concluded.