Congressman Charles Bass

New select committee would cut spending and serve as taxpayers' watchdog

June 16, 2011

WASHINGTON – Congressman Charles F. Bass (NH-02) introduced legislation (H.Res. 307) in the House of Representatives today that would establish a new select committee in the House whose sole function would be to find ways to cut wasteful federal spending and protect American taxpayers.

Bass' legislation is modeled after former Virginia Democratic Senator Harry Byrd's Joint Reduction of Nonessential Federal Expenditures Committee, which was founded in 1941 to pay for World War II by cutting wasteful spending rather than raising taxes on American families.

Bass said:

"At a time of historic spending increases, growing debt and deficits, and unsustainable federal programs, we must make serious reforms now or we will doom our children and grandchildren to a future of economic burdens and hardships. While this Congress has taken several steps to reduce spending, we should establish a temporary select committee devoted solely to taking serious and practical measures to cut spending and save taxpayers money.

"This is a common-sense proposal to get us started on a path to fiscal responsibility and economic growth – and one that we know can work."

"It is time to get serious about tackling the nation's $1.65 billion budget deficit and $14 trillion debt. This legislation provides an important tool to help us get there. We commend Rep. Bass for moving forward to help eliminate wasteful taxpayer spending and look forward to working with him to resurrect this important waste busting committee," said Ryan Alexander, president of Taxpayers for Common Sense.

Pete Sepp, the Executive Vice President of the National Taxpayers Union, said, "The Nonessential Federal Expenditures Committee is an idea whose time has come...and never should have been gone. Now more than ever, Congress needs an internal body devoted to pursuing economy in government, as it did for more than three decades up until 1974. Congressman Bass has designed an excellent legislative response that ably reflects the prudent, frugal values of taxpayers in New Hampshire and across the nation. Our members eagerly look forward to helping him enact this vital legislation."

In addition, Americans for Tax Reform issued a letter in support of Bass' legislation.  Read the letter here: ATR_Bass_letter_6-16-11.pdf 120.59 Kb

Specifically, Bass' legislation would:

• Report annual legislation on the elimination or reduction of all nonessential federal expenditures to the House;

• Provide for expedited consideration of the committee's reported legislation (subject to amendment);

• Be comprised of a majority and minority representative from each of the standing committees (20 total), as designated by the speaker and minority leader, respectively;

• Sunset 10 years after enactment.

Bass' legislation was referred to the House Rules Committee.

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