Democratic leaders of Congress will announce today that, for the first time since the Congressional Budget Act was passed in 1974, the House won't pass an annual budget resolution.  Though their region suffers one of the highest jobless rates in the country, Southwest Washingtonians have no way of knowing how much their leaders in Congress will continue adding to the job-killing federal deficit – or raise their taxes to pay for it.

“By refusing to pass a budget, Congress is authorizing unlimited spending,” said Jaime Herrera.  “Meanwhile, our friends, neighbors, parents and siblings have gone months without work and we’re whittling our own budgets down to the penny.  No wonder folks talk about a disconnect from their elected leaders.  This Administration and Congress have been spending like mad trying to respond to our economic crisis, not realizing that spending itself is the crisis.

“This is exactly why I support a Constitutional Balanced Budget Amendment, and have made controlling spending an important part of my campaign.  It’s the most daunting issue we face today, and our livelihoods and future depend on it.”

Economists, experts and business leaders have warned Washington, DC to curb its spending.  Earlier this month, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke urged Congress to develop a plan to manage the nation’s debt because spending “appears to be on an unsustainable path.”  Instead, Congress is making history by shirking one of its most basic responsibilities of governance, and jeopardizing economic recovery and potential job growth with its maneuver.