FOXX VOTES FOR FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE BUDGET

Thursday March 17, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Amy Auth
202-225-2071

WASHINGTON – Today U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx (N.C.-5) voted for the House version of the Federal Government’s Fiscal Year 2006 Budget Resolution, which passed in a 218-214 vote. In order to keep spending in check, Foxx also joined her colleagues in the conservative Republican Study Committee (RSC) in changing House rules to improve fiscal discipline.

“I am encouraged that we have passed a fiscally responsible budget that funds our top priorities while reining in spending and reducing the federal deficit,” said Rep. Foxx. “This budget promotes continued growth by stimulating our economy and creating jobs.”

Foxx said she is pleased the budget will cut the federal deficit in half by 2009 without implementing any tax increases. The budget will lower the deficit by reducing total non-security discretionary spending by 0.8 percent and slowing the growth of mandatory spending by 0.1 percent over five years.

“It is important that we hold federal programs to a firm test of accountability and stop funding programs that no longer serve their intended purpose or perform a vital function,” she said.

The budget will implement $106 billion in tax relief over five years and provide for top priorities such as national defense, homeland security and job creation.

In order to improve fiscal responsibility, Foxx and other members of the RSC secured a change in House rules that would require a vote if a spending bill goes over the budget. This vote will make sure that Congress lives within its budget.

The budget does not determine or dictate specific funding or policy decisions. It simply sets the top-line budget authority number. Decisions about funding levels for specific programs are made by the Appropriations Committee.

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