I came to Washington to reduce the size and scope of the federal government. Although Congress has been forced to change its priorities in the post September 11th world, I have remained one of the most fiscally conservative members of the House of Representatives.
That is why I voted on November 22, 2003, against the final version of the legislation to add a prescription drug benefit to Medicare. The bottom line is I could not in good conscience support the largest entitlement increase in a generation. The cost was too high and the benefit too little. The containment measures needed to increase competition and slow the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs simply are not there. The final bill will benefit the pharmaceutical companies and the insurance industry more than most senior citizens, while leaving the taxpayers to foot the bill.
The 2002 Farm Bill was another piece of legislation that simply cost too much. I opposed it as well because we need to tighten the belt on big government programs. It's past time to restrain the growth of billion dollar entitlements and demand some accountability for how hard-earned tax dollars are spent.
