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2012 Republican Budget
Posted by on April 05, 2011

Today, House Republicans released our budget for fiscal year 2012 that would cut government spending by more than $6 trillion dollars over ten years.  Led by Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI), we followed through on our promise to scale back the size and scope of the federal government and ensure a sustainable fiscal future for our country.  I strongly support the reforms put forward by the 2012 budget resolution, and I am excited to begin working on implementing these reforms over the coming year.

Last year, the Democrat-controlled Congress failed to produce a budget despite their majority in both chambers.  In fact, they didn’t even pass a single appropriations bill, leaving us to continue to haggle over the 2011 spending bill, passing six stop-gap measures in the interim.  Our 2012 budget puts an end to this practice and is the opening shot in our efforts to dramatically reduce the size of government.

A full copy of the Republican 2012 budget plan can be found here, but I wanted to take a moment to highlight some of the key provisions.

Compared to the President’s budget, our budget resolution cuts $6.2 trillion over the next decade and brings non-security discretionary spending down to below-2008 levels.  It reduces the deficit by $4.4 trillion.  Our budget plan also simplifies the tax code, lowering the top tax rates on individuals and corporations.  It completely defunds and repeals the President’s health care law.  The Republican budget also takes the lead on reforming our broken entitlement systems by putting Medicare and Medicaid on a sustainable path to ensure benefits for current enrollees and future generations.

In sum, we face a tipping point in our country.  We can either continue down our current path of spending recklessly, or we can work together to reduce federal spending drastically and balance the budget.  Tough choices are ahead in the fight over the 2012 budget and its efforts to curtail the size of the government, but I stand ready to work with my colleagues to pass this budget and put America back on the path to economic prosperity.
Comments
The opinions expressed below are those of their respective authors and do not necessarily represent those of this office.
  • Barbara Hughes commented on 4/6/2011
    I guess it's good that you are thinking about the FY12 budget, but what about taking care of FY11? I want to know what is being done to get the current budget passed. Remember where you came from, Jeff. The Florida panhandle will be effected by a government shutdown--not just our troops and their families, but the government civilians and retirees, too. The news media loves to report about how most government employees make over $70K a year, but that is not true for everyone. There are many of us that make a lot less than that. My income is my government civilian pay check and my military retirement. If those are cut short or delayed who will call my mortgage company to explain why I can't make a payment this month? Or my car payment, or gas to drive my car. (Don't even get me started on backpay if we are furloughed.) An honest answer about the situation would be greatly appreciated. Don't leave us in the dark only to find out bad news at the last minute. Don't leave us worrying only to draw it out to get some sense of relief if it will be taken care of at the last minute. Just tell us why, tell us your thought pattern, and tell us the truth. I'd rather hear the truth backed by reasoning, than be told a lie just to soften the blow. Registered and voted...
  • Angela Seibert commented on 4/7/2011
    While I agree that lowering the deficit is a priority for the future of our country, cutting programs alone is not the answer. And to lower taxes on the top incomes and corporations is not only not an answer, it is insanty. These people and corporations that are the "job creators" aren't creating jobs. Take GE as an example, for 2010 they had a negative corporate tax bill. Did they use this to create any US jobs? No, they laid people off. How is that good for the economy? If you are going to lower the corporate tax rate, you must use a carrot and stick approach. If they get the tax credit they need to be required to create an equivalent number of jobs. Otherwise it is the middle class taxpayers who will pay for their tax breaks with higher taxes and fewer services. The fact that compromise is a dirty word to the Tea Party should show how extremist they are. Our country was built on compromise and we would not have survived for 235 years without it. The definition of moderation is the quality of being moderate; restraint; avoidance of extremes or excesses; temperance. Being a moderate is not a sin. My final point is the fact that Congress will still receive a paycheck during this shutdown, which is a mess of their own making, while other federal employees and especially military members will not, is not only irresponsible but it is shameful.
  • Linda Johnson commented on 4/9/2011
    You're right, we do face a tipping point in this country. The GOP is about to take us right over the edge. Is the Republican party truly so delusional? The state of politics in this country is a disgrace. Do you not understand that the high cost of healthcare in this country is a HUGE problem? The proposed GOP budget would be laughable, if it weren't so frightening. Do the job you were elected to do. Work to make society better for all Americans. Focus on education. Focus on the long term. Stop the bullshit. We're sick to death of it.
  • Michael Benesch commented on 5/14/2011
    Honorable Mr. Miller, The PRESIDENT can only suggest budget items,the congress (YOU) must by law propose,debate and fund THE budget. Look it up! It;s in that constitution you quote so often about the 2nd ammendment. Funny,when your party had 6 years of (R)unning it all y'all (r_elaxed (r)egulations that allowed the banks to bury the middle class now y'all want to blame Obama for not doing YOUR job. It's your BUDGET try not to give tax breaks to yacht owners while cutting aid to families with mentally challenged children,y'all know the ones that were NOT aborted! YOU DID KNOW that the PRESIDENT doesn;t pass the budget laws didn't you?
  • Timothy Lamons commented on 6/27/2011
    I have voted GOP for 40 years. Most of my conservative circle want to have subsidies and loopholes reduced as a means to raise revenue. It is NOT raising taxes. It is collecting taxes already due. Warren Buffet pays less than 20% of income in federal taxes where most $150,000 earners pay around 30%. Unacceptable. A huge amount of wealthy earn money through entertainment and sports venues. I hardly think their tax dollars are creating jobs. If the GOP stays on track with maintaining the disproportionate tax code, I think they will LOSE seats in 2012.
  • Reba Cross commented on 7/7/2011
    I am so grateful that you are taking an active part in saving our country from this president's actions to put us deeper in debt. This president should have had more constraints on vacations. I can't remember any president prior to him spending so much on vacations for himself and the family. Most of them were more concerned about running the country instead of running up millions of dollars of debt on Air Force One and it's back-up. I believe he has been interested in promoting himself and it seems to have worked, except in his own country. Is there some way we can slow him down or stop him all together and prevent it in the future? SHAME ! SHAME ! on a president that could see his country suffering in a near depression while they see him flitting about all over the world enjoying the best life has to offer, on a monthly basis, while they can hardly pay their bills and many are starving. A gracious president would have said, "I' ll forgo my vacations and feed the hungry with the money I would spend." I bet everyone would sleep with a full stomach for months just on the cost of Air Force One's take-off. Thanks, Jeff, keep up the good work and keep fighting for Medicare. This next birthday I will join those ranks and it is hard to believe that a board of people with insufficient knowledge may hold my life in their hands. Please do whatever it takes to stop this. Some times the patient and the doctor are the only ones who can judge what the body needs. The more people who become involved in a decision the greater the room for error due to poor communication, and there is greater room for that error if everyone making the decision isn't at each discussion of the issue.
  • Molly Pritchard commented on 7/15/2011
    I fully understand that the federal government must reduce spending and reduce benefits to many of the lower income Americans. I know perfectly well that when I finally reach medicare age, I will probably receive less benefits than those currently enrolled. I know that I will probably have to continue working longer before I become eligible to receive social security. BUT PLEASE - do not seek to control the deficit by solely placing the burden on middle and lower income American. We all know that to truly solve this deficit problem we must BOTH lower spending AND raise revenue. Raising tax rates on the wealthiest individuals is appropriate and would be a step back to the days when America was actually solvent! AT THE VERY LEAST - if you must stick to your rhetoric talking points about not raising taxes - realize that closing many loopholes and eliminating many subsidies is NOT raising taxes. Please - put aside your rhetoric and do what is best for Northwest Florida and the rest of America.
  • Arthur Soinski commented on 7/18/2011
    Simplifying the tax code by lowering the top tax rates is not "simplification." Pres Reagan "simplified" the tax code by reducing the number of tax brackets. Prior to this "simplification," I was able to prepare my own returns. Since then I have had to pay an accountant, costing me and my children several hundred dollars a year. Repealing the latest health care law will hurt the poor, unemployed, underemployed, and others who do not have employer sponsored health care, such as those enjoyed by representatives. Representative Miller, I request that you and your fellow Republicans expose yourselves to self-paid health care as a sign of good faith.
  • Jim Beaudoin commented on 7/21/2011
    Please tell me why this bill, that you are so proud of, reduces taxes on high income folks and corporations? I am apalled that you would propose to lower corporate taxes without at the same time closing loop holes and grants to large corporations! I am a life long Republican but I must say that it was George Bush's tax cuts that seemed to start this whole mess. Under Clinton the budget was balanced and we were prospering look at us now. Close the loop holes for Exxon and Shell, collect the fines from BP and everybody would be happy!
  • James Dey commented on 8/17/2011
    Tax cuts for the rich, repeal health care legislation designed to help the poor, this isnt new. It's the same story we heard from W for 8 yrs. W still maintained that we had a strong economy right up until the crisis. It's time for the millionaires to start paying their fair share or its time to find new Representatives that will make them.
  • Tracy Tisdale commented on 9/10/2011
    Budget cuts are great until they start taking JOBS away. My husband, a military officer for 17 1/2 years just got CUT. We know of about 50 other people that got 30 day notices they are out of the military. They have to be out Prior to October 1st, the new fiscal year. This is sad! Very sad that things are so bad that they are cutting people so that they can't get their benefits of retirement and health coverage that they have worked so hard for. This should not be happening.
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