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    Who are the NERD fund donors Mr Snyder?

    Raise the curtain.

    Reduce out-of-control spending now


    By Congressman Fred Upton, Section News
    Posted on Mon Nov 15, 2010 at 02:39:14 PM EST
    Tags: Fred Upton, Grover Norquist, Americans for Tax Reform, Spending, Budget (all tags)

    ~ Promoted because those things have to be really heavy ~

    By Grover Norquist and Rep. Fred Upton

    The federal budget deficits reported in 2009 and 2010 were the highest on record since 1945, according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, approximately $1.4 trillion and $1.3 trillion, respectively. (That's trillion with a capital T.) Under the Democrats' one-party reign the last two years, the size of government has exploded and the United States has added an unprecedented $2.7 trillion to the national debt, amounting to nearly $5 billion dollars a day.

    Meanwhile, again according to the CBO, federal spending has grown from 20.1 percent of gross domestic product in 2006 (the year before Nancy Pelosi became speaker, and slightly below the historical average), to 23.8 percent of GDP (a record but for 2009's all-time high) on Election Day 2010. Washington clearly has a spending problem -- not a tax revenue problem.

    The American people are fed up and demand that we tackle government spending and the federal budget deficit immediately. The days of the administration printing more money as a solution to meet budget shortfalls are now over.

    While it is true that the Energy and Commerce Committee is not ground zero for budget work, every committee must play an integral role in cutting spending and reining in the dramatic expanse of government. A first step for every committee must be to repeal the billions of dollars of unspent stimulus funds in their jurisdiction.

    We must also stop letting legislation move through the committee process with the opaque, anything goes "such sums as may be necessary" appropriations language. Even when legislators have a specific spending figure in mind, they routinely use this smoke-and-mirrors tactic to get bills through the committee process and evade a difficult debate on spending.

    Drafting legislation in such a consequence-free environment allows committees to pass the buck to the appropriators. But we cannot afford to pass the buck on our futures any longer.

    It is time we immediately assumed responsibility for our out-of-control spending crisis before the hole gets any deeper and future generations are in greater peril. Under a new House Republican majority, we must swiftly change committee rules to ban this grossly irresponsible practice.

    To immediately cut spending and the size and scope of government, we must also require that any committee legislation scored by CBO have a net cost to taxpayers directly offset by cuts to programs within that committee's jurisdiction. Moreover, we must not tolerate any "offsets" from tax increases.

    In the next Congress, at least 235 members will have signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. Tax hikes are off the table -- forcing us all to focus on the actual problem: spending.

    By changing committee rules for Energy and Commerce, as well as others, we must also require that legislation go one step further, and cut 10 percent more than the projected costs -- to ensure that any new program will actually be covered.

    This means that a $1-million program would need a $1.1 million offset. If we cut 10 percent more than is necessary, we could have an added safeguard. And if the CBO estimate is accurate, the result will be a reduction in federal spending. It is a win-win situation that is likely to have immediate results.

    Vigorous oversight is also an absolute necessity in the next Congress. Committees must hold budget hearings for every agency within their jurisdiction, and then, as candidate Obama promised, go line-by-line through each budget to identify potential items to cut. A chainsaw would be the recommended tool of choice.

    Oversight will also help expose additional government waste. As Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis said, "Sunshine is the best disinfectant."

    From fraud in the EnergyStar program to ridiculous delays in the implementation of the $5-billion stimulus weatherization program, programs not working as intended must be frozen until we can determine how to fix them. Or whether they should simply be discontinued and return the taxpayers their money.

    The American people have spoken, and it is the responsibility of the newly elected Republican majority to chart a new course of limited government and less spending. That begins at the committee process -- and the deficit must be in the crosshairs.

    Grover Norquist is the president of Americans for Tax Reform. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) is the ranking member of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment.

    http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1110/45117.html

    < Fred Upton, Thomas Edison and Whirlpool | Attention Michigan Congressional Delegation.. >


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    Question for the Congressman. (none / 0) (#1)
    by KG One on Mon Nov 15, 2010 at 03:19:10 PM EST
    "To immediately cut spending and the size and scope of government, we must also require that any committee legislation scored by CBO have a net cost to taxpayers directly offset by cuts to programs within that committee's jurisdiction. Moreover, we must not tolerate any "offsets" from tax increases.

    In the next Congress, at least 235 members will have signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. Tax hikes are off the table -- forcing us all to focus on the actual problem: spending."

    Wouldn't a more effective method of reigning in Congressional spending be to require that ALL appropriations cite the constitutional authority for that appropriation?

    For example, if someone wanted to slip in an appropriation of, say, $1.5 billion dollars more for Pakistan, that the relevant portion of the US Constitution be cited before that money is spent?

    No citation, no spending.

    The Pledge to America mentions this, but I am not hearing too many elected officials promoting this basic concept.

    Why is this?

    Seems to me (none / 0) (#2)
    by LookingforReagan on Mon Nov 15, 2010 at 06:05:27 PM EST
    That as my Congressman I remember Rep Upton voting for TARP, the prescription drug entitlement for Medicare Part B. Also the auto company bailouts and a hell of a lot more.
    All that spending either was a gigantic waste of money or it was designed to increase bennies to the entitled class.
    If Sir, you really want to do something about spending might I as a humble citizen of this Republic suggest the following.
    A bill introduced and passed that would cut salaries of all members of the Congress and their staffs by 10%. These cuts would be for both the House and Senate. Further the cut would apply to our spendthrift President, all members of the Executive branch as well as the Judicial branch. In other words a 10% cut in wages and benifits for all Federal employees with the exception of military and the law enforcement arms of government. Further a 15% reduction in all branches, agencies and departments of employee's. If private industry has to cut jobs to balance the books and meet obligations government shouldn't be exempt from the same treatment. Once all of the above has been accomplished and the political class proves their desire to really make reforms then we can talk about other things.
    Additionally total repeal with NO replacement of Obama Care AKA MediKill. Introduction of a Constitutional Amendment that would require a balanced budgit for the US Government. And end to discretionary spending and ear marks. Pssage of a line item veto for the President. Do this and get it done and maybe we can talk. Until save your breath Mr. Upton. As a wise sage once observed, "Actions speak louder then words."

    Put Up Or Shut Up (none / 0) (#7)
    by grannynanny on Tue Nov 16, 2010 at 01:02:06 PM EST
    That's all I have to say congressmen.  Everything they touch costs me money - Enough is Enough.

    See Duck and Weave (none / 0) (#8)
    by grannynanny on Tue Nov 16, 2010 at 01:03:36 PM EST
    Jenkuz hit the nail on the head in her response and I could not agree more.

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