____________________________________ From: sena...@paul.senate.gov To: wle...@aol.com Sent: 4/11/2011 5:51:06 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time Subj: This Week In News For Senator Rand Paul - April 11, 2011
(http://paul.senate.gov/) RAND'S NEWSLETTER UPDATE April 11, 2011 Last week was an intense and critical time. Let me update you on what's been happening in Washington. The Budget The showdown that could have led to a shutdown gripped the Beltway's attention, and many everyday Americans became even more disenchanted with Congress as they feared what a shutdown would mean to them. In the midst of all the angst, I introduced the Government Shutdown Prevention Act of 2011 to address the issues that may occur during a federal government shutdown. See the release _here_ (http://paul.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=332380) . The bill is intended as a permanent rule to follow for the current and all future cases where Congress does not enact a budget or continuing resolution to fund the federal government . Absence of a continuing resolution does not shutdown government. And this legislation sought to show that there doesn't need to be a shutdown in order for us to address the spending problem here in Washington. This proposal means to alleviate the worries of people who rely on important services, and fill the gap created by non-passage of spending bills, while forcing Congress to deal with the unsustainable spending. The bill keeps obligations made to our military personnel, seniors, children, and federal workers maintain an adequate level of pay, but Members of Congress and the President do not get paid unless they actually work out a resolution. But as we saw late Friday night, the shutdown was averted at the last minute. However, the much-ballyhooed 2011 continuing resolution (or, CR) will leave the federal government spending $1.6 trillion more than it takes in. Despite descriptions of cuts, the 2011 Congress will spend more than it did in 2010 and with a larger annual deficit. It is the third year in a row with a record deficit. Only in Washington can a budget that spends more than it did the year before, with a larger deficit, be portrayed as "cutting." The only "good news" from the 2011 CR would be that it adds less debt than President Obama's plan, but it does not appreciably change the accumulation of debt. After the vote, I released a statement of opposition to the continuing resolution, which was inserted into the Congressional Record: Mr. President, I voted against this short-term continuing resolution for the same reason I voted against the last one and the one before that - because it does not set us on a path to fixing the spending and debt problems our country is facing. As I have said before, there is not much of a difference between a $1.5 trillion deficit and a $1.6 trillion deficit - both will lead us to a debt crisis that we may not recover from. We still face an enormous fiscal crisis, and barely any serious actions to address it are even being discussed by the leaders in Washington. I will continue to oppose any legislation that doesn't seek to seriously deal with this issue. Libya and Presidential War Powers The Senate chose not to vote on the sense of the Senate resolution I introduced the previous week, that quotes then-Senator and presidential candidate Barack Obama's own words from 2007 where he states: "The President does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation." The measure sought to put the Senate on record affirming Congress as the body with constitutional authority on matters of war. The motion was tabled, 90-10. Not one Senate Democrat had the courage to vote on the measure and show support for their President. You can see the video of my floor statements _here_ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXs5R0Qn9Ac) , or by clicking on the image below. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXs5R0Qn9Ac) Media I went on with Neil Cavuto to talk about the budget fight Friday. See the video _here_ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5f-mGHmyk0) , or by clicking on the image below. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5f-mGHmyk0) My other media appearances last week included: _Fox News' Happening Now_ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yn_sDnFFxZw) , _CNBC's Street Signs_ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qf2djZYBfVs) , _CNN's Newsroom_ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkz8TUw7_7A) , and _Hannity_ (http://video.foxnews.com/v/4635783/rand-paul-on-federal-budget-battle-part-1/) . Stay tuned for future updates. You can follow my official Twitter account _here_ (http://twitter.com/#!/SenRandPaul) and subscribe to my YouTube channel _here_ (http://www.youtube.com/user/SenatorRandPaul) . Also, don't forget to become a fan of my _official Facebook page_ (http://www.facebook.com/SenatorRandPaul) for other timely updates. Warm Regards, To unsubscribe from Rand's newsletter, please visit the _unsubscribe page_ (http://paul.senate.gov/?p=newsletter_unsub&success=1)