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Rep. Joe Walsh on Reining in Government Spending

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    Rep. Joe Walsh, (R-Ill.), on the challenges in achieving a budget that includes spending cuts.

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Lots of on resolved issues and political battles raging on Capitol Hill has another government shot down -- That's right there is a prospect of yet another government shut down threat.

Republican congressman Joseph Walsh of Illinois.

Joins us -- congressman good to have you with -- December 16 is the deadline.

I have to tell you that's uncomfortably close for a congress and the senate and -- president.

Who seem not to agree on much what do you think the prospects are.

It doesn't seem like a coincidence does -- -- -- you know look we've we've been prepared for a few months here that.

A big pile of something was coming at us late this year.

-- you featured the president.

A moment ago look he's been campaigning all year.

I don't think much of Capitol Hill is taking him seriously he's failed this economy the senate hasn't done anything -- house Republicans.

For as long as I've been here -- are the only game in town.

Trying to literally pass things in and I'll be the first to admit that maybe we Republicans don't do the greatest job of marketing what we've been doing that's true.

But we have sent upwards of twenty -- jobs bill's over the senate that Harry Reid just doesn't do anything -- -- -- go to stipulate here indeed you'll have sent more than twenty measures actually passed by the house that I haven't been acted upon by the senate.

But they're going to the issue at hand which is the sixteenth of December are continuing resolution to fund this government.

What in -- and you have a you have a speaker.

-- right now cannot reliably count on his own caucus for support in moving ahead.

The so call many bonds says spending measure you had to rely on what was at a 130.

Some -- Democrats.

Rather than Republicans to move that measure through this is starting to look like.

Like a possible -- -- shot down.

Well because again -- and we went through some of this earlier this year this is not why we were sent to congress.

Last year we were sent here to finally put -- -- on all this government spending.

And change the way this town does business in this whole notion of fund in the government a month or two at a time.

Is a lousy way to run a business in and an even even -- republic additional question.

I mean the senate hasn't moved on any budget.

-- in three years.

Yep why is is the over the Republicans having such difficulty in articulating a very simple message.

That this president this senate half -- been incapable.

Of producing proposed.

Budget legislation or budgets that would reduce spending.

What what is so complicated about that why are you Republicans having so much trouble without -- It's not all less Republicans -- but again being here in Washington and I'm just -- -- you in the aggregate effect.

I think that our side.

Is so afraid generally all of us of a fight you -- -- sort of I -- I don't realize.

I ally -- Lou I agree this country is falling off a cliff this is our nation's struggling for its -- in its future right now.

And Republicans are are tradable fight.

Hey -- I agree with you.

There's such a bias in this town to just continue to get things done look.

I think you're right we are losing the -- this country.

This president is out to lunch the senate Harry Reid stopped working we ought to look at the American people and kids they get it.

Look I don't think the American people are upset with Washington because we're not -- a long.

I think they're upset with Washington because we're suffocating the rest of the economy and we Republicans have to be willing.

Have would you be willing to go to the American congress and you can't even agree amongst ourselves.

Are on on how to how to take your heels.

-- it's you know right because you are complicit spenders in all of this.

Irrespective of the fact that you individually as congressman Gary resist that a greater spending but you're the guys who signed off as a party.

On the 2011.

Budget after the all of the acrimony.

And in fact raise spending the 2012.

Budget.

-- with no effect what -- -- and it was it's it's a silly little piece of we are -- even -- even mention of the efforts at reducing spending.

My definitely -- right yeah.

You're right -- which is why me and and a number of my colleagues.

Have held firm and said no let's let's have this fight because I think the American people would welcome the fight OK let's talk about your dilemma though congressman and that is today's you know on Wall Street celebration that the Federal Reserve that monetary policy in coordination.

With the central banks five other nations -- of this European central bank and four other nations.

Actually did something positive to coordinate monetary policy we're not saying anything approaching that on fiscal policy.

-- not even within the Republican -- caucus.

No little because again this that's why this is such a historic moment.

The divisions here are so stark.

This president has destroyed this economy and the -- not doing anything they try to give our leadership a little bit of understanding because they're the only ones in this town trying to be serious and they've got a number of -- -- for understanding anymore.

And what I've been asked for understanding by generals.

And by this administration in the previous about a longstanding conflict in Afghanistan.

When I hear somebody history for understanding and patience is what one of 300 million citizens in this -- get a little nervous because it's always coming from the from the federal government in some form.

About why they can't do their jobs it's absolutely -- it's time for the American people to expect something.

Of all of you in that town where -- you're a general -- -- York congressman a senator or president or you think.

I I agree which is why I have not voted for one spending bill this year because they did not send us here.

To play around with pennies and Nickels they sent us here to do something bold.

And all we can continue to do is to try to encourage our party to be as -- weekend to save this country.

And we appreciate your being with us dollars and sharing your views thanks so much -- majority --