As you are aware, the battle over spending cuts and the federal budget continues in Washington.  Despite some reports, there is no final deal on a budget for the rest of this fiscal year (through the end of September).  The facts are clear: we must cut spending in order to get back on the track to fiscal sanity. It is unacceptable to continue to chargeour children and grandchildren for our own excessive spending habits.

To that end, I joined with my Republican colleagues in introducing a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution that would limit federal spending to 18% of our gross domestic product (GDP).  Our national debt has surpassed the $14 trillion mark, and unlike American families across the country who are making tough decisions in order to make ends meet, Washington continues to spend money we do not have to the detriment of future generations.  It is time for Congress to change its ways.  This amendment would bring much-needed fiscal discipline back to Washington and would put America on the path to a balanced budget within five years of ratification, and I am proud to join with my colleagues in taking the necessary steps to control federal spending and reduced our debt.  

On Wednesday, March 30, veterans groups and Americans across the country honored those who fought in Vietnam by observing 'Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.’  On this date in 1973, American forces officially withdrew from Vietnam, but many troops returned to their country to find discord among their fellow Americans and no longer felt welcome in the country they sacrificed to protect.  I introduced a resolution that passed the Senate unanimously to establish 'Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day’ to encourage Americans to thank Vietnam veterans for their service and offer them a belated welcome home.  This day does not make up for the emotions that many of these veterans still struggle with; however, what happened during the Vietnam War is a powerful reminder that we must continue to respect and welcome home American troops returning from war today.  

I was also proud to cosponsor the Finding Fugitive Sex Offenders Act of 2011.  This bill would give facilitate the investigation of unregistered sex offenders by giving the U.S. Marshals Service administrative subpoena authority.  In these fast moving cases, we must remove as much red tape as possible to allow for the investigation of these unregistered individuals, and giving the Marshals this ability means they won’t have to delay their investigations on weekends or holidays when U.S. Attorney’s offices are closed and grand jury subpoenas are unavailable.  

Stay tuned to my website and Facebook page, and follow me on Twitter for updates from Washington next week as the Senate continues to debate our budget and the cuts must be made to get our fiscal house in order.

Sincerely,

U.S. Senator Richard Burr