COMMITTED TO FISCAL DISCIPLINE

“Murphy has demonstrated commendable independence. And unlike many of his Democratic colleagues, the freshman lawmaker has shown himself to be a responsible and restrained spender. We sure could use a lot more of those in Washington.”
-Bucks County Courier Times

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Standing Up to Excessive Government Spending

Supporter of Federal Spending Freeze in 2011

• This simple freeze from the 2010 levels will save taxpayers $20 billion, demonstrate required fiscal restraint, and provide a positive step toward reducing future deficits.

Broke with Party to Vote Against Raising the Federal Debt Limit nearly $2 trillion

• Congressman Murphy voted against this blank check that allows increased federal spending because two necessary budget reforms- PAYGO and a Debt Commission- were not included.

Voted Against the Democratic Budget for FY2008 and FY2009

• Congressman Murphy twice broke with his party to oppose the budget because it didn’t do enough to ensure middle class tax breaks and rein in government spending. [Roll Call Votes #212, 557; 318; 382]

Broke with Party to Vote for Over $20 billion in Spending Cuts Since Being Elected to Congress

• Congressman Murphy has a proven record of voting for cuts in excessive government spending.

Saved $7 billion by Terminating Unneeded Government Programs in 2010

• By cutting nearly 20 wasteful programs, taxpayers will save over $7 billion this year.

Fighting Wasteful Government Spending

Fighting to Save Taxpayers $98 Billion by Reducing Waste, Fraud and Abuse in Federal Agencies

• Congressman Murphy’s bill would improve transparency, prevent improper payments, recover overpayments and hold agencies accountable because allowing this level of waste to continue unchecked is both reckless and unacceptable. [H.R. 3393]

Introduced Bipartisan Bill to Help Eliminate the $60 Billion of Waste, Fraud and Abuse in Medicare

• The IMPROVE Act would protect taxpayer dollars by closing a check cashing loophole where scammers use fraudulent billing information to steal from Medicare and Medicaid. [H.R. 3369]

Introduced “Scrap the MAP Act”to Cut Wasteful Federal Subsidy Program

• The Market Access Program has a long history of waste through the subsidization of well-established industries. In 2004 GAO highlighted the program for elimination or reduction, citing the cut as a way for improving the use of taxpayer funds. Cutting this program will save over $200 million every year.

Supporter of Bipartisan Efforts to Eliminate Unnecessary Programs and Corporate Welfare

• Congressman Murphy joined Rep. Chaffetz of Utah in cosponsoring a bill to eliminate federal subsidies for mohair, a program the GAO has called a “dinosaur” that should have been terminated years ago. This would save taxpayers $28 million every year.

Voted to Cut Wasteful and Unnecessary Defense Programs

• These programs suffered major cost overruns, contracting problems, and were no longer wanted or needed by the military. By terminating the Multiple Kill Vehicle, the Transformational Satellite, the F-22 Raptor, the CSAR-X Helicopter, and the Kinetic Energy Interceptor, taxpayers will save $10.2 billion, and our troops will receive resources they truly need.

A Record of Accountability and Responsibility

Voted Against Using TARP Money for Spending

• Voted against H.R. 2847 to prevent $75 billion in TARP money from being used for additional spending.

Demanding Transparency from the Federal Reserve

• Cosponsor of H.R. 1207 – a bill to increase the scope of Federal Reserve audits.
  
  
• Introduced amendment demanding disclosure and accountability in the Federal Reserve’s Mortgage Backed Security program in TARP [H.AMDT.7 to H.R. 384].

Voted Against Every Proposed Congressional Pay Raise

• Those that passed anyway were donated to charity.

Strong Action on Earmarks

Reducing Money Spent on Earmarks

• For 2009, Congressman Murphy voted to cut earmarks by 43% below 2006 levels – reducing the amount spent on earmarks by $7 billion – for 2010 he voted to cut earmarks 50% below 2006 levels.

Tough New Standards of Transparency and Accountability

• No more secret earmarks
  
• No more non-competitive earmarks for companies
  
• New oversight measures

Voted Against Wasteful Projects

• Voted against $150,000 in funding for a corporately sponsored aquarium in South Carolina.
  • Aquariums that charge $16 for a ticket and collects corporate donations do not need federal funding.
  
  
• Voted against $129,000 in funding for “the Perfect Christmas Tree Project” earmark.
  • Doubling the size of a gift shop selling Christmas tree ornaments, lanterns and handmade soaps is a waste use of taxpayer dollars.
  
  
• Voted Against $200,000 for the Corporations for Jefferson's Poplar Forest in Virginia.
  • 84% of funds needed for this project have already been raised, and it is clear that the remaining funds can be raised privately to maintain the family retreat.

Reforming the Federal Budget to Stop Deficit Spending and Reduce the Debt

Voted to Reinstate PAYGO Accounting Law

• Simply put, if Congress is going to spend money, it must figure out how to pay for the spending first. This measure will not allow consideration of any bill that would increase the deficit.

Create a Fiscal Commission to Address Long Term Spending Problems

• We have serious long term problems to solve in the federal budget. This bipartisan commission will put forward new ideas, and Congress will be forced to take action rather than delay making tough choices.

Setting Caps on Congressional Spending for the Next 5 years

• A measure to limit Congressional spending.

Supports Constitutional Line Item Cuts to Get Rid of Pork

• This process will allow the President and Congress to strip wasteful spending from large spending bills.

Supports the Balanced Budget Amendment

• A Constitutional amendment requiring the government to keep balanced budgets.

Supports Tough Measures if Congress Fails to Meet Budget Goals

• Would force the budget reconciliation process if Congress can’t meet is fiscal goals.

A Proud Member of the Blue-Dog Coalition

The Blue Dog Coalition is a group of moderate and conservative Democratic members of Congress who stand together to fight for fiscal responsibility and a balanced budget. The Coalition relentlessly pursues balanced budgets and common sense, conservative economic principles.

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