John Chafee Quotes

The budget is tight, and that is exactly where we want it to be and where we need it to be.

As I have traveled throughout my Congressional district, the one thing I heard loud and clear was simply please stop spending money you do not have, rein in spending, live within a budget.

Leaders should not just talk about - but walk the walk of - fiscal conservatism.

We are beginning a new era in our government. I cannot too strongly urge the necessity of a rigid economy and an inflexible determination not to enlarge the income beyond the real necessities of the government.

One thing that Washington D.C. does not do well is cut spending.

Increased spending, all these favors that we got to do for people - it's got to stop.

I'm a fiscal conservative. That's how I define myself.

We Hoosiers hold to some quaint notions. Some might say we 'cling' to them, though not out of fear or ignorance. We believe in paying our bills. We have kept our state in the black throughout the recent unpleasantness, while cutting rather than raising taxes, by practicing an old tribal ritual - we spend less money than we take in.

As American families and businesses have been forced to tighten their belts, Washington has refused to do the same.

Regardless of my legislation, spending has to be stopped.

We're going to have to control the spending of government.

When millions of Americans are tightening their belts, folks have the right to expect their elected officials to do the same.

While our nation faces many challenges that must be met regarding homeland security and our military readiness, it is imperative that we live within our means and wisely spend taxpayer dollars.

I stand for strict economy in governmental affairs.

It is a fundamental rule with me not to vote for a loan or tax bill till I am satisfied it is necessary for the public service, and then not if the deficiency can be avoided by lopping off unnecessary objects of expenditure or the enforcement of an exact and judicious economy in the public disbursements.

Under no circumstances will I allow expenditures upon works not clearly national.

When they talk about belt-tightening in Washington, they are talking about tightening our belts.

The only way to meet the situation [the financial crisis] is spend less money and to run the City of New York within the limits of our resources. Unless you do this, gentlemen, you will have a difficult problem confronting you by the end of this year and the taxpayers of 1922 and the years thereafter will have to pay the price of our present lack of prudence or our unwillingness to economize at the proper time.

It is no part of my job as Chancellor of the Exchequer to put before the House of Commons proposals for the expenditure of public money. The function of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, as I understand it, is to resist all demands for expenditure made by his colleagues and, when he can no longer resist, to limit the concession to the barest point of acceptance.

I will veto again and again until spending is brought under control.

Britain can only spend what it can afford.

We must cut federal spending - every wasted dollar, every low priority program, and every unconstitutional overreach - every day.

I am a governor who left office with a smaller general fund budget than when we started.

My reputation is as a fiscal hawk. At least, I hope that it is.

Congress must demonstrate fiscal responsibility.