Senator adds his support to five pieces of legislation to implement fiscal responsibility
WASHINGTON - Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) reasserted the increasing need for fiscal responsibility in light of a report revealing the 2011 deficit exceeds previous projections. The report was issued by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) one day after President Obama called for additional spending in his State of the Union address. It projects the 2011 deficit will be $1.5 trillion, the largest in history. Johanns is cosponsoring an array of bills that decrease federal spending and infuse fiscal responsibility and accountability into the budget process.
"No amount of lip service to fiscal responsibility will change the fact that government spending in our country has turned into a runaway freight train," Johanns said. "Reducing spending is not a matter of choice; it's a matter of necessity. We can't continue to pile onto a $14 trillion debt, and the bills I am cosponsoring demonstrate the leadership needed to put our country back on track when it comes to spending.”
Bills co-sponsored by Johanns:
• A Balanced Budget Amendment would prohibit Congress from passing tax increases or deficit spending unless overruled by a two-thirds majority. Introduced by Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah).
• The Fiscal Integrity Act would require the Treasury to pay debt obligations first in the event the debt limit is breached. Introduced by Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.).
• The Reduce Unnecessary Spending Act would establish an optional fast-track procedure for the President to use when submitting a package of spending cuts to Congress. Introduced by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).
• The Congressional Budget Accountability Act would require that the unused money returned from all Senate office accounts be used to pay down the national debt. Introduced by Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.).
• A bill to repeal the automatic pay raises for Members of Congress. Introduced by Sen. David Vitter (R-La.).