Rep. Paul Ryan's blog

WASHINGTON - Wisconsin's 1st District Congressman Paul Ryan today spoke out on behalf of the families and small businesses that would be on the receiving end of a massive new energy tax. Earlier today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2454, American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, by a vote of 219 to 212, with bipartisan opposition. Ryan voted against this legislation.

 

It has become a yearly drill: The Medicare and Social Security trustees sound a clear warning that, without reform, both of these programs will go bankrupt in the not-so-distant future. It has also become a yearly drill for those in Washington to respond to the alarm by hitting the snooze button.

 

This year's trustees' report makes clear the growing urgency of this problem -- especially with the effects of the recession -- and the severity of the repercussions should this avoidance habit continue. Highlights of the report include:

 

SOCIAL SECURITY

In just seven years, Social Security's benefit obligation will exceed its cash income from tax revenues, thus other programs will begin to be tapped for resources.

Wisconsin's 1st District Congressman Paul Ryan delivered the commencement address for graduates of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Ryan was awarded an honorary degree from his alma mater, as the university celebrated 200 years of national service. The text of Ryan's remarks follows:

 

President Hodge and graduating students:

 

Last week, another blow was leveled on Southern Wisconsin. The day after the Obama Administration brokered a deal with Chrysler, its investors, and the United Auto Workers, Kenosha learned that its Chrysler Engine Plant would be closing its doors.

 

The White House restructuring deal continues to elicit justified anger, and provides Wisconsinites with more questions than answers. Kenosha workers and Wisconsin taxpayers are rightfully outraged that their jobs and their money are going to Mexico instead of Kenosha. Taxpayers have the right to ask the Obama Administration whether this is a good use of their hard-earned dollars, and whether they'll ever see a return from this dubious investment.

 

President Obama offers us the option of European big government.

By PAUL D. RYAN

Today, the House of Representatives will consider two budget plans that represent dramatically different visions for our nation's future.

While Congress will have a partisan debate over the federal budget this week, there is a growing, bipartisan consensus about the greatest threat to our nation's long-term economic prosperity: the explosion of entitlement spending. Unfortunately, Washington is not planning to address that problem this week, or any time soon. By doing nothing, we are shackling our future with unsustainable debt and taxes.