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Issues
Budget, Spending & TaxesAppropriations, Transportation Spending
Update on Appropriations (8/22/08)
The RSC prepared this Policy Brief on the status of the appropriations process for fiscal year 2009 (which starts in just a few weeks).
RSC Policy Briefs (7/7/07)
The RSC released several Policy Briefs over the recess, including this document on the Revenue Effects of Capital Gains Tax Cuts.
RSC Fiscal Reform Bills (3/3/08)
In light of the looming entitlement crisis and discretionary spending that continues to explode, the RSC prepared this Policy Brief highlighting the fiscal reform bills introduced by individual RSC Members.
Federal Spending Stats (2/19/08)
As Congress begins the FY 2009 budget process, the RSC prepared this one-pager with information on how much the federal government spends, what the public thinks about it, and what happens if federal spending continues on its present course.
Impending Tax Increases (2/11/08)
The RSC updated its annual document showing the tax increases that will automatically occur unless Congress takes action. To read the list of impending tax increases, click here.
Economic Growth Act (1/28/08)
Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ) and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) led the RSC in introducing the Economic Growth Act (H.R. 5109), which would unleash the potential of the American economy by providing tax relief for job-creators. For more information on the bill, click here and here.
End the Tax on Inflation (1/28/08)
The RSC sent this letter to the President and the Secretary of the Treasury, urging them to take regulatory action to end the capital gains tax on inflation.
The “Mother of All Tax Bills” (11/5/07)
This RSC Policy Brief examines the two schools of thought—to offset or not to offset—and features a summary of what House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Charlie Rangel (D-NY) referred to as the “Mother of All Tax Bills” (H.R. 3970).
RSC Introduces Legislation to Eliminate the AMT (10/10/07)
The Republican Study Committee has introduced the Taxpayer Choice Act, a comprehensive, individual income tax reform initiative with two principal goals: 1) eliminating massive future tax increases by repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax; and 2) providing individuals a choice for an alternative tax system that is transparent, simple and efficient.
Unlike any other AMT reforms to date, the RSC plan will not increase taxes for ANY American. It also retains a fair and equitable distribution of federal tax burdens. In fact, if all taxpayers chose to pay taxes under the Taxpayer Choice Act, the distribution of tax burdens among income groups would remain extremely close to what it is today. Above all, this plan offers a choice: taxpayers can choose the new system or stay with the current tax code. They have the freedom to select the option that best suits their particular circumstances.
Short Summary
Detailed Summary
Q & A
Also, read Robert Novak's Washington Post Editorial praising the Taxpayer Choice Act.
Victory Over Secret Spending! (6/18/07)
The RSC scored a remarkable victory against secret slush funds for Member pet-project spending in the Democrat appropriations bill. The RSC issued this release highlighting the problem at the beginning of last week.
To read a statement from anti-earmark crusader, Rep. Jeff Flake (R-AZ), on a proposed—and rejected—solution from House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey (D-WI), click here.
To read the RSC release announcing the victory over secret spending, click here.
To see video clips of RSC Members and other Republicans battling against the Democrats’ secret spending, click here.
Sustaining Vetoes of Spending Bills (6/18/07)
In another victory for the RSC last week, the RSC announced that it had gathered 147 signatures on a letter promising to sustain any veto of a spending bill that President Bush makes because of excessive Democrat spending. 146 votes are needed to sustain a veto, assuming all Members of the House are present and voting.
To read a release announcing the victory, as well as the text of the letter itself, click here.
To read a Wall Street Journal editorial on the RSC’s veto-sustaining letter, click here.
Impending Tax Increases (4/9/07)
In light of the proximity of Tax Day (April 17th), the Democrat Budget's expiration of all the Bush tax cuts, and the appearance of tax increases on a variety of bills this year already, the RSC released this easy-to-read document explaining what tax increases will AUTOMATICALLY kick in over the next few years, unless Congress takes action.
Democrat Fractures on Iraq
Despite the relatively party-line vote on the Minimum Wage Increase, Tax Shift, Pork-Project Iraq Supplemental bill last week (H.R. 1591), which gives our enemies dates-certain for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, the RSC pointed out that, behind the curtain, Democrats were quite fractured. Click here to learn more.
To read the statement by war hero and former POW Rep. Sam Johnson (R-TX) on the passage of the Supplemental, click here.
To read the statement by RSC Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) on the Supplemental, click here.
RSC's American Taxpayer Bill of Rights (3/14/07)
For those who believe Washington spends too much, we agree. For those who believe Washington still taxes too much, we agree. For those who believe we must balance the budget, cut wasteful Washington spending and provide further, permanent tax relief, we agree. And so we pledge to do it better and get it RIGHT. In an effort to reclaim our roots as the party of fiscal discipline and defender of the American taxpayer, the Republican Study Committee is proud to announce a new Taxpayer Bill of Rights. Read more here. To see additional photos of the recent Taxpayer Bill of Rights press conference, please click here.
Iraq Supplemental Policy Brief (3/16/07)
The RSC prepared an early policy brief on the supplemental appropriations bill for the Iraq war and ongoing hurricane clean-up. The bill contains numerous add-ons, including a federal minimum wage increase and funds for spinach.Automatic Tax Increases (10/16/06)
The RSC updated its annual document to reflect the passage of the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act (Public Law 109-222). This document highlights tax increases that will automatically happen, unless Congress takes action to stop them. (8/23/06)
Pence announces RSC support of Budget Resolution (4/10/06)
RSC Chairman Mike Pence (R-IN), after securing several conservative budget process reforms, announced RSC support for the Budget Resolution (H.Con.Res. 376) in this statement.
H.Con.Res. 376 Legislative Bulletin (4/10/2006)
H.Con.Res. 376 - Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2007
Leadership Statements on RSC Budget (3/13/06)
Read the statement from:
Contract with America vs. Contract with America Renewed (3/13/06)
This document compares the RSC proposal with the original Contract with America (1994).
RSC Balanced Budget Released (3/08/06)
The RSC introduced a balanced budget based on the 1995 “Contract With America."
- RSC FY2007 Budget (Word or PDF)
- Budget Overview & Sample Program Terminations
- Press Advisory from 3/8/06
- Chairman Pence and Budget & Spending Taskforce Chairman Hensarling joint statement
The President’s fiscal year 2007 budget request includes a new domestic policy initiative, the American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI), which is a combination of new and expanded federal education programs focusing on math and science instruction and increased funding for scientific research and development. Learn more about ACI in this RSC Policy Brief. (2/21/06)
The RSC prepared this short overview of the program terminations and funding reductions proposed in the President's budget. (2/13/06)
The RSC released the following document summarizing President Bush's fiscal year 2007 budget proposal, which the White House submitted to Congress last week. (2/13/06)
In light of President Bush's proposals to eliminate 91 federal programs, the RSC also released this document on examples of government waste that have come to light recently. (2/13/06)
The RSC was credited with putting "months of unrelenting pressure" behind the idea of budget savings in this Washington Times editorial. (12/20/05)
RSC Chairman Mike Pence (R-IN) released this statement in support of the final package of budget savings (The Deficit Reduction Act, S. 1932) that passed the House yesterday. (12/18/05)
RSC's statement on the Fiscal Year 2006 Budget Resolution Conference Report
Operation Offset
RSC Budget Options 2005 (9/21/05) word version
RSC Budget Options 2005 (9/21/05) pdf version
The RSC released a report at a press conference to provide options for reducing federal spending as part of an RSC effort entitled "Operation Offset" in light recent Hurricane Katrina federal appropriations.
Budget
86 House Republicans sent this RSC-led letter to House Budget Committee Chairman Jim Nussle, urging him to maintain the Budget Resolution's instructions to the Energy & Commerce Committee to find billions of dollars of savings in the Medicaid program.
NEA Funding
This RSC Policy Brief on funding levels for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has been updated to reflect passage of the FY2006 Interior Appropriations Conference Report. Note that, once again, funding for the NEA has increased.
Tax Facts
The RSC prepared this factsheet on the current U.S. tax code.
The Bush Budget (2/10/05)
The RSC prepared a one-pager summarizing President Bush's budget proposal for fiscal year 2006.
Supplemental Appropriations (2/16/05)
President Bush submitted to Congress his proposal for another supplemental appropriations bill for this fiscal year. The RSC prepared this policy brief breaking down the President's request. To read more about the foreign aid included in the President's request, click here.
Impending Tax Increases
The RSC updated its annual document to reflect the passage of the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act (Public Law 109-222). This document highlights tax increases that will automatically occur unless Congress takes action.
RSC-Negotiated Budget Enforcement
The RSC negotiated a change in House Rules that will provide some budget enforcement on appropriations bills. Read more about it in this article from The Hill.
The Wall Street Journal wrote an op-ed about the new budget enforcement tool negotiated by the RSC.
Paul Weyrich of the Free Congress Foundation also wrote an op-ed about budget enforcement.
Policy Brief:
FY05 Iraq and Tsunami Relief Supplemental
The RSC prepared this policy brief on the FY2005 Iraq and Tsunami Relief Supplemental.
The Bush Budget
The RSC prepared a one-pager summarizing President Bush's budget proposal for fiscal year 2006.
- Washington Post article conservative concerns with President Bush's budget proposal.
- RSC Budget Taskforce Director Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX), released a statement calling on Congress to do more to control federal spending.
The Washington Post ran an article about some concerns that conservatives have with President Bush's budget proposal:
In light of the Bush budget proposal, RSC Budget Taskforce Director, Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX), released a statement calling on Congress to do more to control federal spending.
Talking Points on Spending
The RSC prepared a one-page, take-along sheet highlighting the recent history and current state of federal spending.
Office of Management and Budget's Mid-Session Review
On July 30, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released its Mid-Session Review of the budget. The RSC has prepared a policy brief on OMB's Review. Click here for the RSC Policy Brief.
RSC Budget
During the budget resolution (H.Con.Res. 393) debate last week, the RSC offered a budget substitute that would cut non-security, discretionary spending by 1%, slow the growth of non-Social-Security mandatory spending by one percentage-point, provide for additional tax relief, and implement a host of budget process reforms. Although the RSC Budget Alternative did not pass, the majority of Republicans voted for it (including Majority Leader DeLay and Majority Whip Blunt), and it received the highest number of votes of any RSC Budget Alternative in recent history. (Failed 116-309)
- One-page Outline of RSC Budget
- RSC Budget FAQ
- Dear Colleagues Circulated by Chairman Myrick
- Waste, Fraud, and Abuse Eliminated in the RSC Budget
RSC's Policy Brief on the Budget Resolution
The Policy Brief compares the Committee Reported Resolution and the four Substitutes. (pdf) (word doc)
Tax Increases in the three Democrat Substitutes and the impact of the tax increases on small businesses and job creation. (pdf) (word doc)
Endorsements of RSC Budget Substitute and an analysis from the Heritage Foundation.
- Americans for Tax Reform
- Citizens Against Government Waste
- Small Business Survival Committee
- National Taxpayers Union
- Heritage Analysis of RSC Budget
22 RSC Members sent a letter to House Budget Committee Chairman, Jim Nussle (R-IA), requesting that, at a minimum, the Fiscal Year 2005 Budget Resolution call for reducing non-defense, non-homeland security spending by 1% compared to last year's enacted level and for reducing the growth in non-Social Security mandatory spending by 1%: Click here to read the letter.
Conservatives & Moderates Come Together
Announce Consensus Principles to Reform the Budget Process
Members of the conservative Republican Study Committee and the moderate Republican Tuesday Group unveiled a set of 12 consensus principles to reform the budget process. Read More by Clicking Here (pdf):
"Spending is Still Too High" The RSC Responds to President's FY2005 Budget
RSC Chairman Sue Myrick said, "My RSC colleagues and I will continue to work with the President to reduce spending on existing programs, and eliminate duplicitous, obsolete, and non functioning programs." Click here to read RSC Chairman Myrick's statement.
Federal Spending and the Size of Government
Rep. John Shadegg (R-AZ) circulated a General Accounting Office (GAO) report, "The Nation's Growing Fiscal Imbalance," which features charts and graphs on the changing composition of federal spending. Click here for the report.
Additionally, the RSC prepared several documents regarding federal spending and the size of government, as follows:
- The cost of President Bush's new spending initiatives in the State of the Union Address (pdf)
- A review of some key points from the Congressional Budget Office's (CBO) January budget outlook (pdf)
- The most expensive authorization bills passed by the House in 2003 (pdf)
- The most expensive mandatory spending bills passed by the House in 2003 (pdf)
- The number of federal civilian employees in each of the last ten years (pdf)
Key Points from Initial Review of CBO's January Budget Outlook
Among the findings:
- Reasonable adjustments to the baseline INCREASE the deficit.
- CBO's baseline does not include other likely spending increases.
- Legislated changes since last August added $681 Billion to the deficit over the next ten years.
- Click here for the full document.
Review of Presidential Initiatives for 2004
The RSC has created a table summarizing the announced costs of President Bush's new proposals and the source(s) for funding these proposals (if provided).
Key Finding: Over the next five years the sum total of federal spending on the President's proposals is approximately $50.6 to $53.1 billion, of which only $11.5 billion in offsets have been announced. Click here for the full document.
The New York Times did a story about conservative efforts to reign in federal spending, focusing on the RSC.
Click here to read the article.
Conservative Response to the State of the Union Address
The RSC responded to President Bush's State of the Union Address by urging him to offset the cost of his new initiatives. Read the complete statement by clicking here.
RSC Chairman Sue Myrick discusses the need to "get a handle on the deficit" in USA Today.
Click here for article
The President's 2003 Supplemental Appropriations request: to support Department of Defense operations in Iraq
- H.R. 1559 -Emergency Wartime Supplemental
- Emergency Wartime Supplemental (Information Related to Airline Funding)
- RSC Summary of the President's Supplemental request
The RSC 2004 Budget proposal Summary
Summary of the President's budget proposal for FY 2004
History of Reducing Spending
Putting historical perspective on the President's FY 2004 budget
- New Spending and New Tax Relief in the President's Budget over the Next Five Years
- Changes to the Baseline On-Budget Deficit Resulting from the President's Proposals
- Increases in Major Agencies since GOP Takeover 1996 to 2003
The Traditional Republican View on Tax Cuts
The RSC prepared a document detailing the traditional Republican view on tax cuts: Click here to view the document.
Tax Day 2005
In honor of the IRS filing deadline, the RSC released Tax Facts to put this year's tax filing in perspective. Examples include:
- Ten years ago, the IRS said it took the average person 9-½ hours to complete the 1040.
Today's average is 13 hours-time enough to complete at least 4 baseball games. - This year, Americans will spend an estimated 6.4 billion hours complying with the tax
code-6.4 billion hours ago was 734,645 years before the birth of Jesus Christ. - It cost all taxpayers an estimated $203.4 billion in 2003 just to comply with the tax
code-that is enough money to buy a fleet of 5.1 million brand new Cadillac DeVille 4-
Door Sedans at retail price.
Impending Tax Increases
The RSC prepared a document detailing the tax increases that will automatically occur starting next year, unless Congress takes action to stop them (pdf)
H.R. 1308 - All American Tax Relief Act of 2003:
- Child Tax Credit: Summary
- List of Military tax relief: Summary
- Policy Brief: Child Tax Credit - Background on Refundability of the Child Tax Credit & the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
- If You're Concerned About the Poor, Should You Listen to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities? Fact Sheet About the Leading Source Used by the Democrats
H.R. 2 - "Jobs and Growth Tax Act of 2003" - CONFERENCE REPORT
- H.R. 2: "Jobs and Growth Tax Act of 2003"
- State Aid: Chart showing how much each state will receive in cash payments
- State Aid Two-Weeks Later: How Are the States Spending the Money? Update regarding what the states are planning to do with the $10 billion one-time grants for "essential government services" and "unfunded mandates" included in the President's Tax Cut Package.
- 5/22/03 Press Release: Congressman Mike Pence: "Tax Cut Doesn't Go Far Enough"
- 5/9/03 Press Release: "House Conservatives Receive Commitment to Treat Dividends of Domestic and Foreign Companies Equally"
- Letter from Reps. Manzullo and Toomey: "The Problem in the Growth Package with Dividends Paid by Non-Domestic Corporations"
- The top 100 "reciprocal companies" that would be most harmed by this dividend proposal
- Organization for International Investment Report: "The impact of reciprocal companies on the U.S. economy"
Ending the Double Taxation of Dividends
- The American Shareholders Association: One pager: Statistical Information regarding the Double-Taxation of Dividends
- Chart with Stock Market Plunge after Senate slashes tax cut proposal
- State by State Breakdown of Jobs Not Created without dividends tax relief
- Chart Comparing Tax Cut to Other Revenue
- Number of Jobs Not Created under Democrat Plan
Summary of the President's budget proposal for FY 2004
- New Spending and New Tax Relief in the President's Budget over the Next Five Years
- Changes to the Baseline On-Budget Deficit Resulting from the President's Proposals
- Increases in Major Agencies since GOP Takeover 1996 to 2003
Appropriations Status of all FY 2007 Appropriations Bills RSC Policy Briefs: FY 2007 Appropriations Bills
Status of all FY 2006 Appropriations Bills
RSC Policy Briefs: FY 2006 Appropriations Bills
Status of all FY 2005 Appropriations Bills
RSC Policy Briefs: FY 2005 Appropriations Bills
Status of all FY 2004 Appropriations Bills
RSC Policy Briefs: FY 2004 Appropriations Bills
Status of all FY 2003 Appropriations Bills
RSC Policy Briefs: FY 2003 Appropriations Bills
RSC Policy Briefs: FY 2002 Appropriations Bills
TransportationTransportation Earmarks Breakdown
The Congressional Research Service analyzed all 5,092 of the "High-Priority Projects" in the surface transportation reauthorization bill (SAFETEA-LU, Public Law 109-59) to separate these so-called earmarks into functional categories. The results are summarized in this document.
Transportation Reports & Analysis:
The RSC updated and re-released its fact sheet about the Davis-Bacon Act and its effects on transportation spending.
RSC Chairman, Sue Myrick (R-NC), released a statement explaining why she and dozens of other conservatives voted against TEA-LU.
TEA-LU Documents:
Transportation Spending
The RSC circulated an op-ed by Heritage Foundation President, Ed Feulner, entitled "A Brake for Highway Spending." Click here to read the op-ed.
The RSC circulated a letter to Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) from Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta and Treasury Secretary John Snow, informing Congress that they would recommend that the President veto any surface transportation reauthorization bill that: 1) raises the gas tax or any other federal tax, 2) relies on bonds, or 3) uses money from the General Fund of the U.S. Treasury: Click here for the letter.
H.R. 1527: "National Transportation Safety Board Reauthorization Act of 2003"
Davis-Bacon Fact Sheet re: prevailing-wage requirements for federal transportation projects
107th Congress:
"The Railroad Track Modernization Act": H.R. 1020 Policy Brief
