Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), provided the following statement after President Biden released his budget for the 2022 fiscal year. 

“With the release of the President’s budget for the 2022 fiscal year, it is time for Congress to come together and pass responsible appropriations bills,” said Burgess. “Congress has a responsibility to the American people and President Biden to thoroughly look through this proposal and evaluate what needs to be done to keep the economy growing without creating inflationary pressures that would only hurt American workers and savers.”

“Over the last year, Congress appropriated trillions of American taxpayer dollars to keep the economy going due to the pandemic. Knowing the Administration’s priorities for centralizing government and multiple proposals for enormous increases in federal spending, Congress must take its power of the purse seriously and carefully evaluate each line of this budget to ensure we do not end up throwing gasoline on a fire. 

“Congress has a little less than six months before risking a government shutdown. Instead of waiting till the end of that time to rush something through either a Continuing Resolution or Budget Reconciliation, my hope is that we would instead follow regular order and have the necessary hearings in the budget and appropriation committees.   

“It is disappointing to see a bait and switch from the Administration after Secretary Mayorkas announced a reconsideration of filling the gaps in the construction of the southern border wall and then there was no funding for finishing the border wall. We are currently facing a crisis there and this simple solution would help provide some resolution. Further the President’s budget appears to be more focused on expanding the size of the federal government than focusing on how to best serve every American. 

“I do remain committed to working with fellow Members of the Budget Committee to put forward a budget that reflects the needs of the American people.”