Budget
South Carolina's unemployment rate currently stands at 10.7% and our District's unemployment rate is even higher. Both are far above the national rate of 9%. Changes are needed in Washington to create a better environment for businesses to grow and families to prosper, because our current path is unsustainable. Since 2008, our debt has increased 212% to its current level of $14.3 trillion. Had policymakers put more effort into cutting spending, we could have begun to climb our way out of this mess much sooner.
One of my first actions as your U.S. Representative was to cosponsor a Balanced Budget Amendment (H.J.Res. 1) and to join the Balanced Budget Amendment Caucus. In the first month of the 112th Congress, I have voted to pass bills that would ultimately save taxpayers close to $3 trillion. Our effort to repeal the health care law would save $2.6 trillion over the next decade alone. Additionally, measures passed by the House related to cutting congressional budgets (H. Res 22), cutting wasteful government printing (H.R. 292), and preventing taxpayer financing of Presidential campaigns (H.R. 359) total another $687 million in savings.
As a member of the House Budget Committee, I am committed to taking the necessary steps to get our financial house in order. At a time when millions of Americans must tighten their collective belts, Congress needs to do the same. The actions we've taken so far are only a start — we must continue working to ensure our country's financial books are in order in the short term and for future generations as well.
