Federal Budget
"Any parent who balances the family checkbook, or small business owner who manages a payroll, understands that the government’s record spending levels are unsustainable and unacceptable." – Dave Reichert
Our country is operating under significant economic stress and a contributing factor is the dire fiscal condition of federal and state governments. Since 2008, the federal government’s non-defense discretionary spending has increased by a staggering 84 percent. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that our own debt will reach 90% of GDP by 2020, the equivalent of $22.5 trillion, or $72,000 for every man, woman and child in America today. As a result of measures like the bailouts, the failed stimulus package, and billions in wasteful, out-of-control spending, our federal budget deficit has ballooned from $160.701 billion in 2007 to an estimated $1.316 trillion in 2011, putting our nation in a precarious fiscal position.
Congress is entrusted by the Constitution to responsibly manage how taxpayer dollars support the federal government’s budget, establishing both the tax laws that determine the amount of revenue that comes in and authorizing and appropriating funding for public programs and entitlements like Social Security and Medicare. Much of the legislative activity in Congress in 2011 has been dedicated to considering legislation to restore fiscal sanity.
I’m happy to support legislation that would take significant steps toward reining in spending and putting our country back on a sustainable fiscal path. A prosperous future for our children hangs in the balance, and we must enact policies that revitalize our economic engine and improve small businesses access to capital. If Congress fails to make these tough decisions now, all of our citizens will suffer for generations to come.
Congress and the President must put politics aside and work together to do what’s right to keep America great. Americans are watching. The whole world is watching. We don’t have time to waste on partisan bickering. We have to get our fiscal house in order.
Congressman Reichert is actively working in the House to:
- Rein in Out-of-Control Spending
- End Wasteful Government Programs