Fiscal Responsibility
Our nation is facing historic debt and high unemployment. Washington’s spending spree has to stop. An important step towards regaining the trust of the American people starts by placing this nation on a path to a balanced federal budget. Immediately after being sworn-in, I formally added my name as a co-sponsor of the Balanced Budget Amendment. This is the first step towards reducing the deficit, paying down the national debt and learning to live within our means. Specifically, the measure requires that federal spending be brought into line with federal revenues. It also requires that the President’s proposed budget to Congress be balanced when submitted. If successfully implemented, a balanced budget amendment will force the federal government to set priorities. This means tough decisions will have to be made, but if we don’t do it now, it is our children and grandchildren who will be forced to pay the price.
Fiscal responsibility also means making those tough cuts. The federal government is huge, and there are a lot of creative ways we can cut spending, save money and eliminate red tape. I would like see a federal hiring freeze of all non-emergency personnel and the consolidation of all International Development programs. Another measure I would like to introduce will automatically end funding for programs deemed ineffective by the Government Accountability Office.