Issue Position: Budget

Issue Position

Issue Position: Budget

A Budget Based on Principles

With the changing faces of the nation and the world, crafting a budget resolution to fit the security related and domestic needs of the nation has become ever more important. With my newest position as a member of the House Budget Committee, this need has become ever more apparent to me. Protecting America, economic growth, and controlling and eliminating waste, fraud and abuse, are three of the key principles that Congress will face this year. These are three key principles that I came to Washington to promote. The final Budget Resolution agreed to by both the House and the Senate will provide for these three elements and it is my hope that the final resolution will as well.

Protecting America

Since September 11, 2001, the need to protect our homeland has become even more apparent. The Congressional budget resolution, which has been fully funded, meets the most urgent needs of our country, and there is no greater priority than protecting America. On defense, it is clear that the Untied States has made a commitment to provide our nation with the best trained, best equipped, and most effective military force in the world. This will enable the United States to continue to fight for the elimination of global terrorism and meet any emerging threats to our liberties. The Department of Homeland Security has also been created to protect our homeland from terrorist attacks focusing on a few key areas. These areas include the improvement of security at our nation's borders, one of my top priorities.

Economic Growth

Promoting growth in our economy and getting unemployed Americans back to work rank among the most urgent priorities of our nation today. We must therefore adopt policies that create the best economic environment for boosting short and long term growth. I believe the best way to do this is to put more money back into the economy. The best way to put more money back into the economy is to put more money back into the pockets of hard working, taxpaying Americans. Another round of tax cuts is the best way to get the economy moving again and to encourage work, savings, investment, and productivity. Further tax relief would provide an immediate fiscal boost for struggling American workers and lay the groundwork to promote the long term, sustainable growth of our nation's economy by bolstering household finances, encouraging consumer spending, promoting investment, and ultimately getting the unemployed back to work.

Eliminating Waste, Fraud, and Abuse

I have long championed fiscal responsibility and eliminating many of the unneeded and unaccountable expenditures of the federal government. Due to circumstances beyond our control, the federal government is now in a deficit. It is essential to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse within government programs and exert fiscal discipline to control spending and get the budget back into balance. A Republican controlled Congress has balanced the budget in the past and can do so again. Back in 1995, Republicans took control of Congress after decades of unrestrained government spending and quickly balanced the budget. Today, I plan to revert back to some of those same principles utilized in 1995; cut spending, slow the rate of growth, and get the budget back into balance.

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