Blackburn Introduces Spending Freeze Bill

Statement

Congressman Marsha Blackburn (TN-7) today introduced legislation to freeze spending for two years, with an estimated savings of $27 billion. The legislation would cap spending for Fiscal Years (FY) 2013 and 2014 at the FY 2012 spending cap level in the Budget Control Act. Blackburn's bill has 13 original co-sponsors, including Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, Republican Policy Committee Chairman Tom Price, and former Chairman of the Republican Conference, Mike Pence.

Since coming to Congress, Blackburn has been a champion for fiscal responsibility through efforts such as her bills to cut spending across-the-board by 1, 2, and 10 percent. House Republicans have taken significant steps this year to put in place caps on Washington's spending binge, and this bill is just one more step in Blackburn's efforts to rein in out-of-control spending.

"Working class families around the country are continuing to tighten their belts, and they expect Washington to do the same," Blackburn said. "The spending caps that we have put in place are a great starting point, but more must be done to regain the trust of the American people.

"The bill I have introduced today will hold Washington bureaucrats more accountable for the decisions they make with the taxpayers' hard earned money. It is a common sense proposal that will allow us to cap and cut future spending, and take away the President's blank check.

"The message from the American people is clear -- STOP the madness. We have a moral obligation to take a stand for good government and work to protect the tax dollars of American workers. This bill builds on the momentum House Republicans have made this year, puts more controls on spending, and would help alleviate the debt burden currently weighing down our economy."

Blackburn has advocated for bringing spending back below pre-stimulus, pre-bailout levels. It is estimated that her spending freeze bill would save an additional $27 billion over Fiscal Years 2013 and 2014 -- with $4 billion being saved in FY 2013 and $23 billion saved in FY 2014.

Source