Congratulations to Morgan Griffith on his nomination to challenge Rick Boucher for the 9th District Congressional seat.
In order to defeat Rick Boucher, who already purportedly has $2 Million in his campaign coffers, Morgan will need to raise a significant amount of money. You can help Morgan do that by attending a fundraiser for Morgan's campaign on Wednesday, June 2, 2010 at 5:30 PM. The reception will be held at the home of Morgan and Hilary Griffith - 1234 Pickwick Lane, Salem - with special guests Eric Cantor and Bob Goodlatte. Single tickets are $50 per person.
To attend or sponsor this event please RSVP laurakbell@comcast.net or 276 870 1926. If you can't attend the reception, please consider making a donation to Morgan's campaign by visiting www.morgangriffithforcongress.com
Friday, May 28, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
What is the Stimulus Bill Costing You?
Guest post from Congressman Goodlatte
A little over a year ago the President signed the so called “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act” into law. This legislation, which I voted against, cost the American taxpayers more than $1 trillion including interest. The legislation was passed on the promise that it would create jobs immediately however, it was just another example of wasteful Washington spending at its worst disguised as an economic stimulus bill. Since then nearly 4 million Americans have lost their jobs. With that disastrous result the American people are asking “where is all the money going…”
I believe most folks will share my disdain when they hear that the Bloomington, Indiana, City Sanitation Department recently spent $40,000 in stimulus money on ten solar-powered trash compactors. These trash cans, which cost $4,000 a piece, are being installed throughout downtown Bloomington thanks to American taxpayers.
In Bozeman, Montana local officials are spending nearly $50,000 in stimulus money to install new rubber-tiled tennis courts at a local park.
The Oneida Bingo and Casino outside of Green Bay, Wisconsin used a grant financed with money from the stimulus to send their staff to a customer service seminar. The two day seminar, which cost taxpayers nearly $70,000, was held at a local technical college to teach the casino staff how to handle confrontations with customers.
In Tennessee $38.6 million in stimulus money was used to widen a section of Highway 66. While this might sound like a sound use of taxpayer funds in actuality the project resulted in a worsening of the local economy. Due to a barrage of concrete barricades and piles of rubble, store entrances and signs along the highway have been blocked or made difficult to see. As a result, the four mile construction project—the largest of its kind in Tennessee—has forced local businesses to lay off workers and cut back hours. One owner of a local motel was forced to fire his entire sales team and general manager due to decreased revenues and a local sandwich shop has seen a 55 percent reduction in revenue caused by the Highway 66 project.
Unfortunately, there are plenty more examples of wasteful government spending included in the failed economic stimulus legislation. With unemployment hovering around ten percent it is clear that the Democrats policies of higher taxes, runaway spending, record debt, and government bailouts, takeovers and mandates continue to have a chilling effect on the nation’s job creators. Congress must focus on a commonsense agenda that reins in the skyrocketing deficit spending which is discouraging investment and threatening to bankrupt our nation, allows individuals and businesses to keep more of their hard-earned tax dollars and promotes the entrepreneurial spirit. This is the only way to get our economy back on the path to prosperity.
A little over a year ago the President signed the so called “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act” into law. This legislation, which I voted against, cost the American taxpayers more than $1 trillion including interest. The legislation was passed on the promise that it would create jobs immediately however, it was just another example of wasteful Washington spending at its worst disguised as an economic stimulus bill. Since then nearly 4 million Americans have lost their jobs. With that disastrous result the American people are asking “where is all the money going…”
I believe most folks will share my disdain when they hear that the Bloomington, Indiana, City Sanitation Department recently spent $40,000 in stimulus money on ten solar-powered trash compactors. These trash cans, which cost $4,000 a piece, are being installed throughout downtown Bloomington thanks to American taxpayers.
In Bozeman, Montana local officials are spending nearly $50,000 in stimulus money to install new rubber-tiled tennis courts at a local park.
The Oneida Bingo and Casino outside of Green Bay, Wisconsin used a grant financed with money from the stimulus to send their staff to a customer service seminar. The two day seminar, which cost taxpayers nearly $70,000, was held at a local technical college to teach the casino staff how to handle confrontations with customers.
In Tennessee $38.6 million in stimulus money was used to widen a section of Highway 66. While this might sound like a sound use of taxpayer funds in actuality the project resulted in a worsening of the local economy. Due to a barrage of concrete barricades and piles of rubble, store entrances and signs along the highway have been blocked or made difficult to see. As a result, the four mile construction project—the largest of its kind in Tennessee—has forced local businesses to lay off workers and cut back hours. One owner of a local motel was forced to fire his entire sales team and general manager due to decreased revenues and a local sandwich shop has seen a 55 percent reduction in revenue caused by the Highway 66 project.
Unfortunately, there are plenty more examples of wasteful government spending included in the failed economic stimulus legislation. With unemployment hovering around ten percent it is clear that the Democrats policies of higher taxes, runaway spending, record debt, and government bailouts, takeovers and mandates continue to have a chilling effect on the nation’s job creators. Congress must focus on a commonsense agenda that reins in the skyrocketing deficit spending which is discouraging investment and threatening to bankrupt our nation, allows individuals and businesses to keep more of their hard-earned tax dollars and promotes the entrepreneurial spirit. This is the only way to get our economy back on the path to prosperity.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Bob Goodlatte - Congress Needs a Budget
Guest post from Congressman Goodlatte
Traditionally, Congress is expected to agree on a budget for the upcoming fiscal year by April 15th. It is this budget process at the beginning of each year where the decision is made regarding total federal spending for the year. It is the budget that sets the stage for how fiscally responsible government spending will be. Since the passage of the Budget Act of 1974, the House of Representatives has never failed to pass an initial budget to set the spending priorities for the following fiscal year. However, we are now a month past the deadline and Speaker Pelosi and the Democratic Leadership are showing no signs of complying with the law and coming forward with a budget for fiscal year 2011.
Families and small businesses all across our nation understand what it means to make tough decisions each day about what they can and cannot afford. They understand the importance of creating and living by a budget. Unfortunately, instead of making the tough choices necessary to reduce spending, the Majority in Congress has decided to forgo a budget altogether. Just four years ago the same leaders who are now shirking their responsibility and choosing to move forward without a budget were very clear on how important the budget process is to the operation of the federal government. In 2006, Congressman Steny Hoyer, who is now the House Majority Leader, was quoted as saying enacting a budget was “the most basic responsibility of governing” and Congressman John Spratt, who is now the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, said “if you can’t budget, you can’t govern.”
Without the passage of a federal budget the reckless spending that has run rampant in Congress will only continue. We have already seen the passage, without my support, of the so-called “economic stimulus” legislation which was supposed to put Americans back to work. Not only did the stimulus legislation fail to create jobs but it is now estimated to be costing American taxpayers over $1 trillion including interest.
Not only should Congress produce a budget but, I am a strong supporter of several measures that promote the establishment of a balanced budget and the elimination of wasteful government programs, including a Constitutional amendment that I introduced which requires the federal government to balance its budget. Congress must steadfastly hold the line on government spending which is why I have consistently voted for the tightest budgets offered each year.
As elected officials and stewards of the taxpayer’s money, we have a responsibility to put together a sustainable budget and stick to it. The Congress must continue to work to rein in spending and put to practice a spending approach that many Americans already live by: if you don’t have it, don’t spend it.
To contact me about this or any other matter, please visit my website at www.goodlatte.house.gov.
Traditionally, Congress is expected to agree on a budget for the upcoming fiscal year by April 15th. It is this budget process at the beginning of each year where the decision is made regarding total federal spending for the year. It is the budget that sets the stage for how fiscally responsible government spending will be. Since the passage of the Budget Act of 1974, the House of Representatives has never failed to pass an initial budget to set the spending priorities for the following fiscal year. However, we are now a month past the deadline and Speaker Pelosi and the Democratic Leadership are showing no signs of complying with the law and coming forward with a budget for fiscal year 2011.
Families and small businesses all across our nation understand what it means to make tough decisions each day about what they can and cannot afford. They understand the importance of creating and living by a budget. Unfortunately, instead of making the tough choices necessary to reduce spending, the Majority in Congress has decided to forgo a budget altogether. Just four years ago the same leaders who are now shirking their responsibility and choosing to move forward without a budget were very clear on how important the budget process is to the operation of the federal government. In 2006, Congressman Steny Hoyer, who is now the House Majority Leader, was quoted as saying enacting a budget was “the most basic responsibility of governing” and Congressman John Spratt, who is now the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, said “if you can’t budget, you can’t govern.”
Without the passage of a federal budget the reckless spending that has run rampant in Congress will only continue. We have already seen the passage, without my support, of the so-called “economic stimulus” legislation which was supposed to put Americans back to work. Not only did the stimulus legislation fail to create jobs but it is now estimated to be costing American taxpayers over $1 trillion including interest.
Not only should Congress produce a budget but, I am a strong supporter of several measures that promote the establishment of a balanced budget and the elimination of wasteful government programs, including a Constitutional amendment that I introduced which requires the federal government to balance its budget. Congress must steadfastly hold the line on government spending which is why I have consistently voted for the tightest budgets offered each year.
As elected officials and stewards of the taxpayer’s money, we have a responsibility to put together a sustainable budget and stick to it. The Congress must continue to work to rein in spending and put to practice a spending approach that many Americans already live by: if you don’t have it, don’t spend it.
To contact me about this or any other matter, please visit my website at www.goodlatte.house.gov.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Rick Boucher Is Clearly Scared Of Morgan Griffith
So scared that he's just blatantly lying to his constituents. How do we know he's scared?
First, there's the coordinated letter to the editor writing campaign that he's running. Sadly, only a small percentage of them talk about his work (and those focus completely on the millions of dollars of earmarks he's brought to the 9th with very little tangible result). Instead, they're going all negative all the time on Morgan.
Next came reports of phone calls to Morgan's donors from Boucher's office chastising them for supporting Morgan.
Today, I got a copy of Boucher's latest fundraising letter. He focuses 6 entire paragraphs attacking Morgan.
The desperation is clear and he's already blatantly lying to try and save himself. Here's an example from his letter where he wails about Morgan getting money from out of the district and then offers this whopper.
WHAT? Does he really think people will believe that? Does he really think people are that stupid? Come on Rick, it's not hard to look up your FEC report.
Just click here to see where Rick Boucher gets his money. I'll give you a hint...it ain't the citizens of Southwest Virginia. I can't imagine how bad his internal polling must be for a 28 year incumbent to already be sending letters like this when Morgan isn't even the nominee yet.
First, there's the coordinated letter to the editor writing campaign that he's running. Sadly, only a small percentage of them talk about his work (and those focus completely on the millions of dollars of earmarks he's brought to the 9th with very little tangible result). Instead, they're going all negative all the time on Morgan.
Next came reports of phone calls to Morgan's donors from Boucher's office chastising them for supporting Morgan.
Today, I got a copy of Boucher's latest fundraising letter. He focuses 6 entire paragraphs attacking Morgan.
The desperation is clear and he's already blatantly lying to try and save himself. Here's an example from his letter where he wails about Morgan getting money from out of the district and then offers this whopper.
Unlike my opponent, I must depend on Southwest Virginia for campaign financial support.
WHAT? Does he really think people will believe that? Does he really think people are that stupid? Come on Rick, it's not hard to look up your FEC report.
Just click here to see where Rick Boucher gets his money. I'll give you a hint...it ain't the citizens of Southwest Virginia. I can't imagine how bad his internal polling must be for a 28 year incumbent to already be sending letters like this when Morgan isn't even the nominee yet.
Marco Rubio, Scott Brown, Doug Hoffman And Morgan Griffith
Folks, the race for the Republican nomination in the 9th District is beginning to get a little silly. It's clear Morgan Griffith is the best candidate and it's also clear he's going to win. That of course, isn't stopping some of the other candidates from embarrassing themselves along the way. Case in point, their thoughts on Marco Rubio, Scott Brown, Doug Hoffman and Morgan Griffith.
There's been a bunch of praise of Rubio, Brown and Hoffman. At the same time, Morgan has been constantly attacked by a few of his opponents. Attack number 1? Morgan Griffith is a career politician.
First of all, this is just silly and shows a complete lack of understanding of what it means to be in the General Assembly. However, since they're all new to politics, I'll give them a pass on that one. What I won't give them a pass on is hypocrisy. Morgan Griffith was first elected in 1993. Do you know when Scott Brown was first elected? 1992. Do you know when Marco Rubio was first elected? 2000. So apparently Morgan's 17 years of elected service is unacceptable but Brown's 18 and Rubio's 10 are great.
Next they attack Morgan for being "just a party guy." Putting aside the irony of someone running for a party's nomination to attack someone this way...what do they say about Marco Rubio? Morgan is House Majority Leader. Rubio was Speaker of the House. It's okay for Rubio to have a party leadership position but not Morgan?
Finally, they attack Morgan on his residence. They say "how presumptuous for someone who literally lives on the district line to run?" Maybe someone should let them know that Doug Hoffman did not live in NY-23 when he ran in the special election. It's okay for Hoffman to live on the line but not Morgan.
Anyway, I suppose this is the sort of thing you should expect from political newcomers who are willing to burn the party down to get the nomination. These are the same people who are attacking Morgan on life issues when he has consistently been endorsed by the Virginia Society for Human Life. The same people questioning his conservative bona fides when he consistently receives A+ NRA ratings, NFIB endorsements, etc. etc.
Frankly, it's too bad because a couple of these guys actually bring a good perspective to the race and could be important voices in the party going forward. Hopefully they, and their supporters, will familiarize themselves with Reagan's 11th Commandment and, now that they're calling themselves Republicans, actually start acting like Republicans.
On a positive note, as Morgan gets closer to wrapping up the nomination, the desperation from the Boucher camp is becoming palpable. This is gonna be a fun summer/fall.
There's been a bunch of praise of Rubio, Brown and Hoffman. At the same time, Morgan has been constantly attacked by a few of his opponents. Attack number 1? Morgan Griffith is a career politician.
First of all, this is just silly and shows a complete lack of understanding of what it means to be in the General Assembly. However, since they're all new to politics, I'll give them a pass on that one. What I won't give them a pass on is hypocrisy. Morgan Griffith was first elected in 1993. Do you know when Scott Brown was first elected? 1992. Do you know when Marco Rubio was first elected? 2000. So apparently Morgan's 17 years of elected service is unacceptable but Brown's 18 and Rubio's 10 are great.
Next they attack Morgan for being "just a party guy." Putting aside the irony of someone running for a party's nomination to attack someone this way...what do they say about Marco Rubio? Morgan is House Majority Leader. Rubio was Speaker of the House. It's okay for Rubio to have a party leadership position but not Morgan?
Finally, they attack Morgan on his residence. They say "how presumptuous for someone who literally lives on the district line to run?" Maybe someone should let them know that Doug Hoffman did not live in NY-23 when he ran in the special election. It's okay for Hoffman to live on the line but not Morgan.
Anyway, I suppose this is the sort of thing you should expect from political newcomers who are willing to burn the party down to get the nomination. These are the same people who are attacking Morgan on life issues when he has consistently been endorsed by the Virginia Society for Human Life. The same people questioning his conservative bona fides when he consistently receives A+ NRA ratings, NFIB endorsements, etc. etc.
Frankly, it's too bad because a couple of these guys actually bring a good perspective to the race and could be important voices in the party going forward. Hopefully they, and their supporters, will familiarize themselves with Reagan's 11th Commandment and, now that they're calling themselves Republicans, actually start acting like Republicans.
On a positive note, as Morgan gets closer to wrapping up the nomination, the desperation from the Boucher camp is becoming palpable. This is gonna be a fun summer/fall.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Salem Republican Committee Meeting - 5/11/10
What: Salem Republican Committee Meeting
Where: Salem Courthouse (click here for a map)
When: May 11, 2010 @ 6:00 p.m.
The next Salem Republican Committee Meeting will be held tomorrow, May 11, 2010. We will be electing officers so please make every effort to come.
View Larger Map
Where: Salem Courthouse (click here for a map)
When: May 11, 2010 @ 6:00 p.m.
The next Salem Republican Committee Meeting will be held tomorrow, May 11, 2010. We will be electing officers so please make every effort to come.
View Larger Map
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Bob Goodlatte - Ensuring the Safety of Our Citizens
Guest post from Congressman Goodlatte
Over the weekend a man with ties to the Taliban drove an SUV loaded with home-made bombs into Times Square in the heart of New York City. Thanks in large part to two very observant street vendors, the local authorities rushed to the scene where they found the smoking car that contained two five-gallon containers of gasoline, three twenty-gallon propane tanks, 152 M-88 fireworks, two alarm clocks connected to wires and a metal gun locker filled with 250 pounds of fertilizer. Authorities were able to dismantle the contents of the SUV, preventing what had the potential to be a very dangerous and deadly situation.
Within two days, local and federal investigators, who are to be commended for their effective and professional handling of this dangerous situation, had located and taken the suspected bomber, Faisal Shahzad, into custody as he was attempting to fly from New York to Dubai. Shahzad has since admitted that he was the one who tried to detonate the bomb in Times Square and that he had recently received bomb-making training in Pakistan.
Despite the fact that we narrowly averted a major disaster in Times Square, as long as terrorists are still free to slaughter the innocent, our work will not be done. This potentially deadly terrorist plot, hatched by a Taliban-linked extremist, threatens the sense of safety in decent people throughout the United States but must strengthen the commitment of our nation to defeat terrorism. It is evidence that terrorism is not limited to any location, population or way of life and that these people, who have so little regard for human life, must be hunted down and brought to justice no matter where they are around the world.
This potentially dangerous situation must serve as a reminder that we must continue working on securing our country by coordinating our national anti-terrorism efforts, increasing information-sharing among our intelligence agencies, and strengthening our defense. We must do everything possible to deal with our enemies on the foreign battlefield rather than here at home.
Today we face a unique set of national security challenges as a nation. Working to anticipate the diverse nature of potential security threats is a responsibility that I do not take lightly. This incident is a strong warning that the U.S. must not slip back into a false sense of security. The characteristics of American society that make us the envy of the world - our freedom and openness - also make us vulnerable to horrible acts of terrorism. We are determined to defend American citizens and American values by securing our homeland against our enemies and the threats they pose.
To contact me about this or any other matter, please visit my website at www.goodlatte.house.gov.
Over the weekend a man with ties to the Taliban drove an SUV loaded with home-made bombs into Times Square in the heart of New York City. Thanks in large part to two very observant street vendors, the local authorities rushed to the scene where they found the smoking car that contained two five-gallon containers of gasoline, three twenty-gallon propane tanks, 152 M-88 fireworks, two alarm clocks connected to wires and a metal gun locker filled with 250 pounds of fertilizer. Authorities were able to dismantle the contents of the SUV, preventing what had the potential to be a very dangerous and deadly situation.
Within two days, local and federal investigators, who are to be commended for their effective and professional handling of this dangerous situation, had located and taken the suspected bomber, Faisal Shahzad, into custody as he was attempting to fly from New York to Dubai. Shahzad has since admitted that he was the one who tried to detonate the bomb in Times Square and that he had recently received bomb-making training in Pakistan.
Despite the fact that we narrowly averted a major disaster in Times Square, as long as terrorists are still free to slaughter the innocent, our work will not be done. This potentially deadly terrorist plot, hatched by a Taliban-linked extremist, threatens the sense of safety in decent people throughout the United States but must strengthen the commitment of our nation to defeat terrorism. It is evidence that terrorism is not limited to any location, population or way of life and that these people, who have so little regard for human life, must be hunted down and brought to justice no matter where they are around the world.
This potentially dangerous situation must serve as a reminder that we must continue working on securing our country by coordinating our national anti-terrorism efforts, increasing information-sharing among our intelligence agencies, and strengthening our defense. We must do everything possible to deal with our enemies on the foreign battlefield rather than here at home.
Today we face a unique set of national security challenges as a nation. Working to anticipate the diverse nature of potential security threats is a responsibility that I do not take lightly. This incident is a strong warning that the U.S. must not slip back into a false sense of security. The characteristics of American society that make us the envy of the world - our freedom and openness - also make us vulnerable to horrible acts of terrorism. We are determined to defend American citizens and American values by securing our homeland against our enemies and the threats they pose.
To contact me about this or any other matter, please visit my website at www.goodlatte.house.gov.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Lessons Learned Yesterday- From a Has Been
1- The Tea Party is an active group but needs to work with the GOP to win elections. Remember folks when you see quotes like The Tea Party gets 200 people to a meeting this is everyone. The GOP Committees are formed by a sample of the party. I love the limited government platform the Tea Party stands for but dividing the conservative vote is just not smart if you plan to govern. We need more discussions between the 2 entities.
2- City Council elections need to be held in November. Turnout at 12% is simply not good enough for a city who has been struggling like Roanoke. This certainly limits the number of people who can complain.
3- A ticket divided is not as strong as a ticket united.
4- The GOP can win these elections but we need to identify candidates early and work TOGETHER to win.
5- In 2 years there is going to be a race for Mayor it is likely that we will see 2 Democrats running this is a perfect scenario for Republican to win.
6- I am encouraged by Ray Ferris being on council. I am hoping he will bring his fiscal conservatism to the council.
2- City Council elections need to be held in November. Turnout at 12% is simply not good enough for a city who has been struggling like Roanoke. This certainly limits the number of people who can complain.
3- A ticket divided is not as strong as a ticket united.
4- The GOP can win these elections but we need to identify candidates early and work TOGETHER to win.
5- In 2 years there is going to be a race for Mayor it is likely that we will see 2 Democrats running this is a perfect scenario for Republican to win.
6- I am encouraged by Ray Ferris being on council. I am hoping he will bring his fiscal conservatism to the council.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Bob Goodlatte - Congress Must Reduce Government Spending
Guest post from Congressman Goodlatte
Just days ago President Obama’s National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform met for the first time. At that meeting Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke expressed extreme concern over the effect of out-of-control government spending on the future of our nation’s struggling economy. Bernanke warned that “even after economic and financial conditions have returned to normal, in the absence of further policy actions, the federal budget appears set to remain on an unsustainable path.” This same message was previously delivered by Peter Orszag, the President’s Director of the Office of Management and Budget. When speaking to a group at New York University he said “deficits of this size are serious and ultimately unsustainable.”
The federal budget deficit is projected to exceed $1 trillion for the next two fiscal years and exceed $800 billion annually for at least the next decade. While Chairman Bernanke and Director Orszag are right, their warning is not consistent with their actions. They promoted the government purchase of private businesses and assets in the TARP legislation, wasteful spending in the so-called stimulus bill and a $1.6 trillion shortfall in the budget for next year. We simply cannot continue down this fiscally irresponsible path. It is time Congress takes control of spending instead of letting it control the Congress.
Last week, with the support of an overwhelming majority of Republicans in the House, I introduced legislation aimed at saving taxpayer money and reducing the deficit by reforming the often abused earmark process. In an effort to rein in government spending, the House Republican Conference recently adopted a party rule that instills a year-long moratorium on Members obtaining earmarks in the appropriations process. While this is a positive step, more must be done to actually save taxpayers’ money. Earmarks are only a very small percentage, less than one percent, of government spending but irresponsible earmarks are emblematic of a larger problem and indicate the lack of scrutiny and tough decision making that Congress applies to the entire government budget and spending process. My legislation calls on House Democrats to join House Republicans in a one year moratorium on all earmarks and directs total discretionary spending to be reduced by the same amount saved by this earmark moratorium.
Additionally, I have introduced bipartisan legislation which forces Congress to enact fiscally responsible spending measures and reduce the deficit by requiring that total spending for any fiscal year not exceed total receipts. By requiring the federal government to balance the budget it ensures that Congress and the President are held accountable to the American taxpayers.
Working to reduce government spending is a significant undertaking and one to which I remain firmly dedicated even in a Congress where excessive spending runs rampant. Congress must balance the budget and ultimately eliminating the debt by being good stewards of taxpayer money. I believe it is our duty as Members of Congress to exercise great care and responsibility in managing our spending priorities and I will continue working to make sure the hard-earned dollars of my constituents are handled responsibly in Congress and that wasteful government spending is stopped
Just days ago President Obama’s National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform met for the first time. At that meeting Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke expressed extreme concern over the effect of out-of-control government spending on the future of our nation’s struggling economy. Bernanke warned that “even after economic and financial conditions have returned to normal, in the absence of further policy actions, the federal budget appears set to remain on an unsustainable path.” This same message was previously delivered by Peter Orszag, the President’s Director of the Office of Management and Budget. When speaking to a group at New York University he said “deficits of this size are serious and ultimately unsustainable.”
The federal budget deficit is projected to exceed $1 trillion for the next two fiscal years and exceed $800 billion annually for at least the next decade. While Chairman Bernanke and Director Orszag are right, their warning is not consistent with their actions. They promoted the government purchase of private businesses and assets in the TARP legislation, wasteful spending in the so-called stimulus bill and a $1.6 trillion shortfall in the budget for next year. We simply cannot continue down this fiscally irresponsible path. It is time Congress takes control of spending instead of letting it control the Congress.
Last week, with the support of an overwhelming majority of Republicans in the House, I introduced legislation aimed at saving taxpayer money and reducing the deficit by reforming the often abused earmark process. In an effort to rein in government spending, the House Republican Conference recently adopted a party rule that instills a year-long moratorium on Members obtaining earmarks in the appropriations process. While this is a positive step, more must be done to actually save taxpayers’ money. Earmarks are only a very small percentage, less than one percent, of government spending but irresponsible earmarks are emblematic of a larger problem and indicate the lack of scrutiny and tough decision making that Congress applies to the entire government budget and spending process. My legislation calls on House Democrats to join House Republicans in a one year moratorium on all earmarks and directs total discretionary spending to be reduced by the same amount saved by this earmark moratorium.
Additionally, I have introduced bipartisan legislation which forces Congress to enact fiscally responsible spending measures and reduce the deficit by requiring that total spending for any fiscal year not exceed total receipts. By requiring the federal government to balance the budget it ensures that Congress and the President are held accountable to the American taxpayers.
Working to reduce government spending is a significant undertaking and one to which I remain firmly dedicated even in a Congress where excessive spending runs rampant. Congress must balance the budget and ultimately eliminating the debt by being good stewards of taxpayer money. I believe it is our duty as Members of Congress to exercise great care and responsibility in managing our spending priorities and I will continue working to make sure the hard-earned dollars of my constituents are handled responsibly in Congress and that wasteful government spending is stopped
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