E-Newsletter



*By answering this survey, you are subscribing to my newsletter.

Contact Us graphic (Left)

Bookmark & Share

Search

  • Search

Washington Reformer

In the words of Ronald Reagan, I believe government’s first duty is to "protect the people, not run their lives". My family is rooted in Texas.  I return home every weekend to see my constituents.  And I never forget the money we appropriate belongs to the taxpayers, not the government.  I take this into consideration each time I cast a vote.

Fiscal Restraint During Economic Recession

  • Voted against the $787 billion Stimulus
  • Voted against the $700 billion Bailout
  • Voted against the Omnibus
  • Voted against the $3.6 Trillion Budget
  • Voted against the Cap & Trade (National Energy Tax)

No Earmarks
I was elected to exercise common sense judgment on issues to which the average American feels Washington has become completely self-serving and tone-deaf.  I believe the earmark system should be 100% transparent as to the sponsor and recipient and subject to an up or down vote in the House. Until that happens, I continue to ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me and not take part in the system.  

Citizens Against Government Waste praise for Rep. McCaul’s success: "In a small, yet important victory, the House passed Rep. Michael McCaul’s (R - Texas) amendment to the fiscal year 2009 Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act to bar funding for projects named for individuals currently serving as a House member, delegate, resident commissioner or senator. This amendment set a precedent for future appropriations spending…"

No 'Monuments to Me
Funding projects named for a sitting member of Congress is the height of hypocrisy.  It is a problem of perception that these projects receive special treatment because of the names they bear. When the American people see this it feeds the belief that members of Congress are arrogant and out of touch with the people we represent. 

Related News Items

TexasWatchdog.org touts McCaul as voice against pork spending

Roll Call:  Earmark Ban Sparks a Spat

LA Times: Maxine Waters Job-Training Center Caught in Funding Ban

Austin American-Statesman:  Get 'monuments to me' ban written in stone (editorial)

Houston Chronicle: Time for plain talk in earmarks (Op-Ed)

Houston Chronicle:  McCaul imposes ban on privately funded travel

McCaul Budget Floor Speech

House Passes McCaul Amendment to End 'Monuments to Me'

 

Citizens Against Government Waste praise for Rep. McCaul’s success: "In a small, yet important victory, the House passed Rep. Michael McCaul’s (R - Texas) amendment to the fiscal year 2009 Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act to bar funding for projects named for individuals currently serving as a House member, delegate, resident commissioner or senator. This amendment set a precedent for future appropriations spending…"