Thompson Votes Against Fiscally Irresponsible Budget

Congressman Mike Thompson (D-Napa Valley) voted against the 2006 Budget Resolution earlier today citing the budget's lack of fiscal responsibility as the reason for his vote.

“This Budget does not take responsible steps toward reducing the budget deficit and paying down our national debt,” Thompson said. “I voted against it because the Congress and the Administration must take responsibility for the financial future of our country.”

Thompson supported a budget reform plan offered by the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of fiscally conservative Democrats that he belongs to. The plan called for adding pay-as-you-go rules to the budget, adopting discretionary spending caps and creating a “rainy day” fund for national emergencies.

Thompson has been a longtime advocate of pay-as-you-go rules that would require Congress to pay for any bill that it passes.

A number of Republicans supported the Blue Dog budget reforms in the House Budget Committee. However, the Republican Leadership blocked consideration of the reforms during debate on the House floor.

The national debt is currently $7.8 trillion much of which is held by foreign countries such as China, Japan and even OPEC, the alliance of oil producing nations. “Each American's share of the national debt is roughly $26,000,” Thompson added. “If we continue to adopt fiscally irresponsible budgets we will leave a legacy of debt for generations to come.”

The budget resolution passed this afternoon by a vote of 218-213.