Issue Position: Budget and Appropriations

Issue Position

Given the mounting national debt, it is imperative that Congress take appropriate action to protect future generations. This is an ongoing debate that requires the cooperation of both parties. I remain committed to responsibly reducing the deficit, but not at the cost of critical programs that support our most vulnerable communities. We cannot only rely on hard working American families to continue making the majority of the sacrifices. Irresponsible cuts not only weaken our nation's full recovery, but also weaken our ability to create jobs. We must address our growing deficit in a strategic and comprehensive manner.

Instead, we are enduring sequestration. As you may know, sequestration is a process of automatic, largely across-the-board spending reductions. Sequestration has its origins in the Budget Control Act, which I did not support. It has always been avoidable, and in fact was created to be so awful and disastrous that it would encourage Congress to come together to avoid it. Now that it has arrived, the sequester has already injected uncertainty into the economy and sapped the confidence of consumers and the markets. These indiscriminate, debilitating cuts will only further damage our economic recovery, job creation, the middle class, and military readiness. A study by George Mason University economists projects a loss of 2.14 million jobs as the sequester is implemented. The Congressional Budget Office projects the sequester would cut economic growth in 2013 by half.

These across-the-board spending cuts that harm the economy and undermine our recovery are now occurring. It's past time to fix this fiscal frustration, but it's not too late for Congress to come together to compromise. If we don't, it's the American people who will pay the price. In Missouri, sequestration could lead to job losses of 33,611 in the defense sector, and 17,480 in the rest of the government, affecting teachers, nurses, construction and manufacturing workers, small businesses, and so many more. That's more than 51,091 job losses, and far more families who will be hurt. In Missouri, those job losses would total 33,611 in the defense sector, and 17,480 in the rest of the government, affecting teachers, nurses, construction and manufacturing workers, small businesses, and so many more. That is more than 51,091 job losses, and far more families who will be hurt. The indiscriminate cuts in the sequester would harm such key priorities as education, Head Start, small business loans, law enforcement, Meals on Wheels, medical research and food safety. We need to replace these arbitrary, unnecessary cuts and enact legislation to create jobs, strengthen the middle class, grow the economy, and responsibly reduce the deficit. I have -- and I will continue -- to call on all of my colleagues to do what is right for our nation's economy, and for the hardworking families in my district.

We must put forth a budget which does not provide for tax breaks for the wealthy and big business on the backs of hard working American families and our most vulnerable communities.

For more information concerning my work and views on the issues of the federal budget, please contact my Washington, DC office.

I look forward to your feedback.

Thank you.

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