House Passes Broun Amendment to Restore Fiscal Discipline to Legislative Branch

Statement

U.S. Congressman Paul Broun, M.D. (GA-10) today released the following statement after his amendment to H.R. 5882, the FY13 Legislative Appropriations bill, passed by 214 to 189 votes. The Broun amendment would hold funding for salaries and expenses of the Congressional Research Service (CRS) at FY12 levels rather than increasing it by nearly $1 million as proposed by the Appropriations Committee.

"I thank my colleagues for supporting and passing this amendment, which is a very small step towards reestablishing fiscal sanity in Washington," said Rep. Broun. "It simply says that the CRS cannot spend any more money next year than they did this year. I don't think that's too much to ask, especially in light of our near $16 trillion national debt. Congress cannot continue to blow through billions of dollars with a reckless disregard for our economic reality -- that we are facing an unprecedented fiscal emergency.

"That being said, Congress absolutely must look for savings in every line of these appropriations bills, no matter how big or small they may be. The $1 million my amendment saves may just be a drop in the bucket, but if I can save the taxpayers a million bucks -- you better believe I'm going to do so every chance I get."

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