Washington,
Nov 18, 2005 -
WASHINGTON, DC. November 18, 2005 – Today Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) along with his Republican colleagues in the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4241, the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005.
Conservative Republicans in the House were determined to meet the obligations of helping the victims of Hurricanes Rita and Katrina while retaining gains made on lowering the deficit,” stated Rep. Rohrabacher. “In order to start the dialogue, a press conference was held on September 21, 2005 which launched ‘Operation Offset.’ Recommendations were made on how to achieve billions of dollars in savings in order to offset the costs of the hurricanes while continuing down the path to lower deficit spending. Leadership listened to our ideas and today’s passage of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 realizes that goal.”
The Deficit Reduction Act contains provisions that trim the deficit and reform government programs including:
Saving and strengthening Medicaid by adopting provisions offered by the bi-partisan National Governors Association;
Lowering prescription drug costs;
Reducing waste, fraud, and abuse;
Strengthening and simplifying student loan programs;
Rebuilding community first responder capabilities by freeing up vital spectrum airwaves;
Protecting workers' pensions by placing the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation (PBGC) on a more solid financial foundation and protecting taxpayers from the cost of a massive bailout;
Increasing heating assistance for low-income Americans by assuming a $1 billion (50% increase) in additional funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); and
Expanding Welfare Reform by reauthorizing the successful welfare reform policies in TANF and providing an additional $1 billion in funding.
“Republicans are acting on the values that brought us to congress: lower spending, tax cuts, smaller government, fiscal responsibility and accountability,” stated Rep. Rohrabacher. “The Deficit Reduction Act is a tool that Republicans are using to rein in spending on unnecessary federal programs. In the context of the war on terror and securing the homeland, Republicans have pursued a set of priorities that put the safety of Americans first.”
