Dear Neighbor:

This week I returned to Washington, D.C. to finish year-end business and address one of the biggest items before Congress -- the extension of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts.  Three weeks ago Americans delivered a clear message that they do not want to continue the tax and spend policies of the current Congress, but that they want Washington to get its fiscal house in order and end the tax uncertainty that is plaguing our economy.

The Obama Administration and Congress are currently negotiating how to extend the tax cuts.  I support a permanent extension of current tax rates and will fight any attempt to increase taxes.

The question of how Congress will provide the federal government’s funding for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2011 (FY11) is also up for consideration this week.  There are two options: either Congress can pass a Continuing Resolution which will provide temporary funding at current levels or there has been discussion of an “Omnibus” bill which would wrap all 12 appropriations bills into one bill.  The current Democrat proposal to move an Omnibus bill currently has a price tag of $1.1 trillion. (Source: Minority Appropriations Committee.) In my opinion, the bill is not an option and underscores the Democrat track record of unsustainable spending.  Republicans have proposed to restrict funding for government agencies to 2008 levels which would save taxpayers $100 billion in the first year alone. I will continue to oppose spending that will add to this year’s deficit and compound our debt. 

You may also be interested to learn that I cosponsored legislation last week, “The American Recovery and Reinvestment Rescission Act," or H.R. 6403, which would rescind all remaining unobligated stimulus dollars left from the $282 billion in discretionary spending that was originally appropriated in the stimulus bill.  This legislation represents Republican efforts to eliminate wasteful government spending and reduce the deficit.

The message from the American people was loud and clear: end the spending-frenzy and allow Americans to keep their hard-earned money.  I plan on implementing that message through every vote I make while I work on your behalf in Washington, D.C. 

Sincerely,

KEN CALVERT
Member of Congress