Issue Position: Fiscal Restraint

Issue Position

Americans want a limited government that protects the most vulnerable while spending within its means. Unfortunately, our current government continues to spend more than it takes in, heaping trillions of dollars onto future generations and weakening America from the inside out. In order to build the country Americans deserve and ensure we pass future generations a strong and secure nation, we must reign-in our spending and tackle our debt.

President Obama and Washington Democrats have exploded our debt and placed more burdens on future generations. Since President Obama took office, our debt has grown by over $6.6 trillion, more than during any presidency in history. What's more, Washington Democrats have completely failed to put forward any meaningful solutions to address the fiscal health of our nation.

Since taking over the House in 2010, my colleagues and I have put a halt to the Obama spending spree. We've reduced our deficit by over $150 billion and overall spending has fallen for two straight years -- the first time that's happened since the Korean War. But more is needed.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates spending on already expensive government health care programs will more than double over the next 75 years. Federal debt held by the public is already 73% of our country' s economic output, a ratio higher than at any point in our history after World War II. In less than a generation, that debt will eclipse the total size of our economy.

I have voted to balance our federal budget, establish a balanced budget amendment, and put runaway entitlement programs on a path to solvency. In addition, I have sponsored legislation in the House that garnered bipartisan support to reign-in mandatory spending and inject some much needed fiscal accountability into these programs.

A slimmer, more efficient government that lives within its mean will encourage growth, create opportunity, and power the investments needed to move our country forward. I will continue to work for this reform and bring about the government Americans want and deserve.

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