Issue Position: Fiscal Responsibility

Issue Position

President Obama has already run up more national debt than all U.S. Presidents from George Washington through George W. Bush -- combined! That is unfathomable 
and irresponsible, and it must be stopped. Today, federal spending equals about 25% of our entire economy. The Congressional Budget Office projects that, at this pace, spending will increase from today's $3.6 trillion to over $5 trillion in 2020.

This reckless spending threatens economic freedom, erodes individual liberty and undermines national sovereignty. Federal spending must be reduced to close to the historical level of about 18% of the economy. Passing a Constitutional Balanced Budget Act will help us achieve this.

It's immoral to saddle our children and grandchildren with this debt. Yet Florida Senator Bill Nelson has voted for all of it. We need to change the culture in Washington.

I'm an authentic conservative who worked hard as a part of the historic 104th Congress that put the brakes on Washington's spending. We reformed a welfare system that had created a cycle of dependency. Our reforms encouraged work and education and instilled a sense of dignity.

We need to rekindle that commitment to reducing spending, cutting waste, fraud and abuse, and demanding more accountability in how your tax dollars are spent.

Federal spending is nearly 40% higher than the last budget I voted for in Congress. This year, Washington will spend a whopping $3.7 trillion. The last budget plan I voted for, five years ago, was nearly $1 trillion less. You haven't gotten a 40% raise in the past five years, and you can't afford to subsidize an out-of-control government.

In 1997, I cosponsored and voted for the Balanced Budget Amendment in the House. Unfortunately, in the Senate it fell one vote short as Democrats flipped their position from prior votes. I plan to go to Washington and fight for a Balanced Budget Amendment. It's the right thing to do.

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