DREXEL HILL, PA - Former U.S. Attorney Pat Meehan issued the following statement in the wake of media reports that the Democratic leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives would not pass the annual budget resolution for the coming fiscal year for the first time since Congress adopted the Congressional Budget act in 1974.  Democrat House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer has previously called the passage of the budget resolution "the most basic responsibility of governing."

"Its ridiculous that Democrats in Congress are unable to accomplish what small businesses and families across the country do every year -- put in place a budget to ensure they live within their means," said Meehan.  "The record budget deficits and mounting national debt is unsustainable.  Congress should be laying out a roadmap in the budget resolution of how to get our country out of this mess.  But rather than face a tough political vote in an election year, House Democrats supporting Bryan Lentz are running for cover.  This is not the kind of leadership the American people expect from our elected officials."
 
Lentz has received $35,000 in campaign donations and PAC money from the House Democratic leadership that failed to pass a budget resolution this year.  Those donations include $9,000 from Speaker Nancy Pelosi, $12,000 from Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and $14,000 from Majority Whip James Clyburn.  The donations came from both their personal campaign committees and "leadership" PACs. 
 
Meehan said Lentz would be another supporter of Speaker Nancy Pelosi's tax and spend agenda in Washington.  He pointed to Lentz's vote to increase the state's debt ceiling by $800 million and increase state borrowing by $50 million rather than seek to reduce state spending in 2008.  In 2009, Lentz voted to increase taxes by $500 million and raid the MCare program of $716 million, money set aside to defray costs of malpractice insurance in the state.  
 
"When faced with the prospect of reducing the size and scope of state government, state legislator Lentz opted for raising taxes and increased borrowing," said Meehan.  "Lentz has failed to show fiscal discipline in Harrisburg and will be part of the tax and spend crowd in Washington."