LATHAM VOTES FOR BUDGET THAT SAVES MEDICARE, PROTECTS TAXPAYERS AND ENCOURAGES JOB GROWTH
BUDGET BLUEPRINT CONTAINS BETTER IDEAS AND BETTER SOLUTIONS FOR BETTER RESULTS FOR ALL IOWANS
Washington,
Mar 29 -
Iowa Congressman Tom Latham voted for a budget resolution on Thursday that will reverse the current trend of trillion-dollar annual deficits and reckless spending binges by Washington to restore genuine accountability to government resulting in more efficient, effective government that spends less and better serves hardworking taxpayers.
“The American people have the right to expect a budget that ends the politics-as-usual approach of budget gimmicks, accounting tricks, and empty promises to provide them with the simple truth, real facts, real solutions, and genuine accountability from Washington,” Congressman Latham said following the vote. “This budget is an honest blueprint of action to replace a broken system that empowers federal bureaucrats with one that promotes economic security, job growth and fiscal responsibility. The American people have sacrificed enough and seen too many of their tax dollars wasted. It’s time to end the political games of the past. This budget restores genuine accountability to the federal government and protects hardworking taxpayers.”
While the budget proposed by the president for the upcoming fiscal year would increase spending by $1.5 trillion, the budget proposal approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday would slash $5 trillion from the president’s proposal. The House unanimously rejected a budget resolution based on the president’s plan, voting down the White House proposal by a 0-414 margin.
The budget resolution approved by the House on Thursday contains a number of key proposals to improve government and restore a healthy U.S. economy. The budget would replace the monstrously complex current tax code with a fairer and simpler tax system that eliminates loopholes while lowering marginal tax rates. Congressman Latham said the proposed change would encourage job growth and eliminate tax headaches for families, business owners and farmers.
The budget also strengthens Medicare by guaranteeing its solvency for future generations. In addition to traditional Medicare, the budget plan proposes that future enrollees also be provided with a voluntary option similar to the health plan offered to members of Congress. The traditional program, however, would remain an option for all current and future Medicare enrollees to keep if they so choose. Without adjustments, the Medicare trust fund is expected to go bankrupt by 2024, requiring action by Congress to guarantee the promise of Medicare.
“Medicare is a contract between you and the government that must be honored,” Congressman Latham said. “Too many politicians in Washington have refused to make common-sense decisions to preserve, protect and improve Medicare for current and future retirees because they are more concerned about partisan politics rather than protecting and saving the program from bankruptcy. The patient-centered approach in this budget puts seniors in control of their health care instead of government while protecting and strengthening Medicare so it’s guaranteed to be there when everyone needs it.”
The budget resolution approved by the House stands in stark contrast to the U.S. Senate, which will not even attempt to consider a budget resolution for the third year in a row to avoid votes on politically difficult topics. At the same time, the national debt has soared beyond $15 trillion.
“For hardworking taxpayers, living within a budget is a fact of life, especially during difficult economic times,” Congressman Latham said. “It’s time to expect the same from Congress and the federal government. Too many politicians in Washington refuse to make tough choices because they’re more worried about the next election than the next generation. It’s time for Congress to start respecting the value of the taxpayer’s dollar once again.”
-30-
|
