Duncan Introduces Bill to Control Reckless Spending

Washington, DC -- Congressman John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-Tenn.) earlier this week introduced legislation to curb the federal government’s irresponsible spending of taxpayer dollars.

“I have spoken out in the past against mindboggling spending under different administrations and different Congressional leadership, but even I have been shocked and astounded by all the spending passed by the Congress in just the last few months,” said Duncan.  “We've raised our national debt limit to 12 trillion, 104 billion dollars.  This is an incomprehensible figure.”

The bill, the Limitation on Government Spending Act, would limit federal spending to 22% of the GDP in FY2011, 21% of the GDP in FY2012, and to 20% of the GDP in FY2013 and fiscal years thereafter.  The bill also restricts the consideration of any bill that would exceed the spending limit for that fiscal year. 

Duncan introduced this legislation on the same day that the House of Representatives and the Senate passed President Obama’s $3.6 trillion budget, without his support.  He has also opposed the so-called “stimulus” package, and every bailout that has been considered by the Congress.

“In the current economic climate, families are adjusting their budgets, yet the federal government continues to spend money we do not have on things that we cannot afford.  At the current rate, we are not going to be able to pay for all the things that we have promised our citizens with money that will be worth anything.”

“I used to say that what we are doing is hurting our children and grandchildren, but the outrageous spending going on in Washington is hurting us.  By passing this bill, Congress would send a strong message to the American people that we hear their calls for restraint and will not stand for the continued reckless spending of their tax dollars.”