As our national debt grows, the dollar is weakened and Americans have to work more so they can buy less. Curbing out-of-control spending and balancing the budget should be top priorities for Congress. Despite record spending on bailouts and the stimulus bill, Congress pushed through a 20% increase in government spending for the 2010 Fiscal Year alone.

This government has been on a massive spending spree for too long, and it is time for this reckless behavior to end. As an opponent of the stimulus and the only member of the Nevada delegation to vote against the bailout, I believe it is critical to rein in spending, address the yearly deficits, and get government debt under control.

I coauthored the balanced budget amendment, which would require the federal government to live within its means – just as the American public is required to do. Moreover, I have voted to set non-security budget allocation levels at 2008 levels, before the bailouts and stimulus spending were implemented. It is time that more than lip service is paid to controlling government spending.