Since Presidents sign budgets, that is how we keep track of them. For example, George W. Bush more than doubled the National Debt. Dennis Hastert (R) was speaker for six of "W's" 8-years. Why don't people blame Hastert or the massive growth on his watch? Because Hastert wasn't president.
Two hundred seventeen other members' votes were necessary to pass every budget on her watch. Only one Presidential signature was needed to make them law.
IN 1980 THE NATIONAL DEBT WAS LESS THAN $1-TRILLION. THE GOP ADDED MORE THAN $16-TRILLION, INCLUDING $6-TRILLION IN TAX CUTS. DEMOCRATS ADDED $7.7-TRILLION, AND OVER $3-TRILLION IN INTEREST HAS ACCRUED. BEFORE REAGAN'S MAGICAL "TRICKLE-DOWN THEORY" AMERICANS ACCEPTED THAT TAXES WERE NECESSARY. SINCE THEN, THE GOP HAS NOT SHIED FROM RUNNING UP OUR TAB. REPUBLICAN FISCAL THEOLOGY TOOK 40-YEARS TO GET US HERE. WE NEED A SERIOUS, LONG-TERM PLAN TO FIX THINGS.