Budget

Balancing the Federal Budget and Reducing the National Debt

Like most Idahoans, I am alarmed by the growing federal deficit and the impact it has on our nation’s economy and taxpayers, as well as on future generations of Americans who will be expected to pay down this debt.  As your representative in Congress, ensuring the long-term economic health of our country is one of my top priorities. 

It is important to point out, however, that getting our economic house in order is much more complex than the quick sound bites we hear from political parties and the media would make it seem.  During my time in Congress, I have worked with my colleagues in the House of Representatives to reduce growth in discretionary spending and instill a sense of fiscal discipline and responsibility into the way Congress spends taxpayers’ money.  Unfortunately, reining in discretionary spending only has a small impact on the growth of government, as mandatory programs that are not a part of the annual budget—and make up almost two-thirds of federal outlays—continue to grow at a rate that is quickly becoming out of control.

Reigning in mandatory spending is crucial to achieving economic health.  This is why I support reinstating true pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) budget practices, which prohibit the government from creating any new mandatory spending programs unless they can be paid for--just like any American family or small business must do when they budget on a limited income.  PAYGO requirements instill a stronger sense of fiscal responsibility and cause us to carefully consider any new growth in government and weigh its cost to the taxpayer.  I have been disappointed by recent PAYGO proposals that continue to allow loopholes--indeed, hundreds of billions of dollars in spending have been exempted from PAYGO rules. We need a PAYGO bill with teeth, one that will force Congress to scrutinize each dollar spent and find equal savings within the budget. 

I am also an original cosponsor of H.J.Res. 1, a resolution that proposes a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution.  In addition to directing the President to submit a balanced budget to Congress annually, H.J.Res. 1 requires that any federal spending beyond debt repayment which exceeds revenues for the year be authorized by a three-fifths vote of Congress.  An important condition of this resolution authorizes a waiver of these provisions when a declaration of war is in effect or under other specified circumstances involving military conflict. 

In addition, as one of the Appropriators who sits on the House Budget Committee, I have the opportunity to stress the importance of a balanced budget and fiscal responsibility through both the budget process and the appropriations process each year.