April 2010: Second Edition PDF Print
Washington Report / April 2010
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Spend Less.  Tax Less.  Our Future Depends on It

America’s national debt is “unsustainable” and existing budget challenges “cannot be solved through minor tinkering.”  This was the message from Doug Elmendorf, Director of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, when commenting recently on our nation’s fiscal outlook.   

According to Elmendorf, public debt is set to reach $20.3 trillion by 2020 under President Obama’s latest budget proposal to Congress.  Based on this projection, which takes into account other deficit spending over the last year, the national debt as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product will rise from 53 percent to 90 percent over the same period. 

This warning must be taken seriously.  Without a renewed commitment to deficit reduction and fiscal responsibility, our nation will continue on a very dangerous path.  Still, debt levels continue to rise, future budget priorities are already constrained and our economy and job market are slow to show any visible signs of improvement.  This must change.

The expansion of government, whether it is through current health care law, federal bailouts or ineffective economic stimulus plans, is at the center of our nation’s budget problems.  As dependency on government grows, such large accumulating debt makes job-killing tax increases all but certain.  The Obama Administration has already made clear that it supports raising taxes on income, capital gains and dividends, suggesting a greater probability for future tax increases to cover the cost of government expansion and new entitlements.

Higher taxes today are not the only problem.  With every dollar our government spends, we become more reliant on countries such as China to buy our debt.  This increases the risk of inflation and a weak U.S. dollar.  It also means more earnings will go to pay down this debt and the accumulated interest, which will be carried by future generations.  In other words, we are mortgaging America’s future.

The solution is simple.  It starts with spending less -- much less.  The first step entails a complete overhaul of the federal budget.  There must also be a definitive commitment to fiscal responsibility, which I believe can be easily accomplished with a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution.   For workers and businesses, there must be greater flexibility, fewer tax burdens and far less regulation. 

This is my commitment to the families, workers and taxpayers in San Diego and across the rest of America who are concerned with spending and a federal government that has become more intrusive with each generation.  

Restoring America’s Constitutional Principles

Please take a moment to read my recent commentary, published in the East County Herald, underscoring the need to restore the basic principles outlined in the U.S. Constitution.  To view this commentary, click here.  
 
Cross-Border Trucking Endangers Public Safety and Security

This week, the U.S. and Mexico announced the formation of a working group in an attempt to resolve several trade issues, including the cross-border trucking program created under NAFTA.  Following recent U.S. action to terminate the program because of public safety and security concerns, Mexico imposed retaliatory tariffs on 89 U.S. products.

Multiple attempts in Congress to terminate the program are behind the most recent decision to eliminate cross-border trucking activity.  Given the prospect that the trucking program might be reinstated under the U.S.-Mexico working group, I am helping to lead an effort with 78 other Members of Congress to request that the Obama Administration renegotiate the section of NAFTA that creates the program.  Doing so would also address Mexico’s retaliatory tariffs.   

My statement on this issue – including a letter to the Transportation Secretary and U.S. Trade Representative – is available here.

Job Fair Reminder

If you are planning on attending my next community job fair, be sure to mark your calendar and plan on arriving early.  At the last event, thousands of residents and nearly 50 area businesses were in attendance, and I am looking forward to this next opportunity to bring together more local businesses and job-seekers. 

The event is scheduled for June 21, 2010, at the Cuyamaca College Student Center in El Cajon.  For more information, please contact my office at 619-448-5201.

El Cajon Office - 1870 Cordell Ct, Ste 206 * El Cajon, CA 92020 * Phone: (619) 448-5201
Washington D.C. Office - 1429 Longworth HOB * Washington, D.C. 20515 * Phone: (202) 225-5672