Spratt Introduces "Reduce Unnecessary Spending Act"

WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. John Spratt (D-SC) issued the following statement today after introducing the "Reduce Unnecessary Spending Act of 2010," a legislative proposal to increase the powers of policy makers to eliminate wasteful spending through a procedure known as expedited rescission.

“Today I was pleased to file a bill to provide an extra tool to enforce fiscal discipline.  The purpose of 'expedited rescission' is simple:  to allow the President to sign a spending bill into law and at the same time propose to Congress that certain items in the bill with a budgetary cost be eliminated.  Congress takes up the proposals on a fast-track basis, and the proposed cuts take effect if approved by a majority in each house.

“While my involvement with this idea dates back to the 1990s, I am pleased to be joined today by 20 original co-sponsors spanning the spectrum of House Democrats – from Progressive to New Democrat to Blue Dog, and from freshman to veteran – all united in our belief that we need to do everything we can to be sure that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and deficits reduced.

“Since taking the majority in January 2007, House Democrats have worked together to move several measures promoting fiscal discipline. These include a House rule instituting 'Pay-As-You-Go' (PAYGO) and a law making PAYGO statutory. In addition, we have passed rules prohibiting the use of reconciliation to increase the deficit and reforming the way that earmarks are dealt with.  Expedited rescission would add another instrument to this tool kit.

“In the weeks ahead, I look forward to working with my colleagues to build support for this proposal, and to consider ways that the Administration’s proposal can be further improved.”


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