Shays Supports Slowing the Growth in Entitlement Spending

Shays Supports Slowing the Growth in Entitlement Spending

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Christopher Shays (R-CT) supported S. 1932, the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, which passed the House this afternoon.

"Entitlement spending is over 50 percent of the federal budget and is on automatic pilot. The Deficit Reduction Act is a good faith effort to begin to get a handle on this challenge," Shays explained. "While it is in no way a perfect bill, its positives outweigh the negatives. Instead of entitlement spending growing at 33 percent in the next five years, they will grow at 30 percent."

"During the last month I have spoken to a number of constituents who have expressed concern about this bill. Some of their concerns were valid and others were the result of a campaign of misinformation. I have heard their concerns, wrestled with the information and ultimately chose the route of beginning to get entitlement spending under control," Shays said.

Shays originally voted against the House version of this legislation, H.R. 4241, which reduced entitlement spending by $50 billion. Shays expressed concern that this legislation too harshly impact urban areas.

On December 12, 2005, Shays voted for S. 1932, the Deficit Reduction Act, which reduced entitlement spending $39.7 billion over five years. In his estimation, this bill was an improvement, addressing many of his concerns. Cuts to food stamps were dropped, provisions affecting student loans were improved, and provisions harmful to the environment were kept out.

http://www.house.gov/shays/news/2006/february/febbudget.htm