Hensarling Appointed To National Commission On Fiscal Responsibility And Reform Deficits Are The Symptom, Spending Is The Disease

Statement

Hensarling Appointed To National Commission On Fiscal Responsibility And Reform
Deficits Are The Symptom, Spending Is The Disease

Congressman Jeb Hensarling, the Vice Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee issued the following statement upon his appointment to the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform.

"I am honored that Republican Leader John Boehner has appointed me to this commission. I want to thank him for his confidence in my ability to help find a long-term solution to the spending crisis that threatens our economy, our national security and the ability of our children and grandchildren to dream the American Dream."

"I am committed to making the panel as successful as possible and have some hope that some good may come of it. The American people know their government is on an unsustainable spending path. The President's own budget increases spending precipitously and triples the national debt in 10 years. Thus the Commission has important work to do. However, I have concerns that the Commission's design will limit its effectiveness."

"First, the nation would be better served by a spending commission than a deficit commission. Deficits are the symptom, spending is the disease. I wish it weren't so, but under current law and the President's budget, tax increases are already due to occur, and spending is due to explode. Again, spending is the problem. As a percentage of the economy spending will double from its historic 20% level up to 40%. At that point, the American people will see less freedom, fewer opportunities and a lower standard of living."

"Secondly, this commission appears to be charged with achieving a short-term goal that fails to solve a critical long-term problem. I hope the reality proves different. Next, I believe any successful attempt to solve our fiscal crisis will require a truly bipartisan effort. Therefore, I am disappointed that two-thirds of the appointees are chosen by the President and congressional Democrats. Also disappointing is the fact that the commission's recommendations are not due until after November's election. Still, I remain hopeful that the Commission's work proves helpful and becomes a catalyst for changing Washington's culture of spending."

"Meanwhile, I continue working to rein-in Washington's spending habits. It's why I have co-authored, H.R. 3964, the Spending, Deficit, and Debt Control Act to reform Washington's broken spending process. It's why I am an original co-sponsor of H.R. 4529, Rep. Paul Ryan's Roadmap for America's Future, to put our nation's finances on a sustainable path. It's why I have co-authored, H.J. Res 79, the Spending Limit Amendment to the Constitution, to ensure that the federal budget does not grow beyond the ability of the family budget to pay for it."

In making the House Republican appointments to the Presidential Fiscal Commission House Republican Leader John Boehner said, "Since Jeb Hensarling came to Congress he has made it one of his top priorities to become an expert on the Budget and what those numbers mean to the hard working American taxpayer. Jeb has been one of the House GOP's most relentless foes of Washington's culture of spending, and most importantly, he has been one of our most creative thinkers when it comes to solving the problem."

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