Budget and Spending

We need a balanced approach to government spending and a budget that reflects our values. This includes making common sense spending reductions that eliminate waste and fraud, while protecting key investments that create jobs, foster economic growth and promote entrepreneurship.

I am proud to be a cosponsor of the bipartisan H.R. 310, No Budget No Pay Act. If Members of Congress fail to do what their constituents elected them to do, such as passing a budget, then they should have their pay suspended.

Just like a family balancing a budget at home, Congress needs to responsibly manage government spending. This includes reevaluating the money we spend on tax breaks for large corporations and subsidies for oil and gas companies. I support a deficit reduction plan that will eliminate waste, particularly irresponsible government procurement, while protecting the critical safety net programs that millions of American families rely on. Congress should not balance our government’s budget on the backs of the most vulnerable.

For 16 days last October my neighbors and Americans across the country needlessly suffered from a government shutdown and fear of a U.S. default on our national debt. Small businesses in my District had SBA loans and contracts with the government delayed. Tragically, even death benefits for family members of our fallen military heroes were put on hold. We cannot allow the prospect of partisan gains to shut down our nation’s government. The American people deserve better.

In December of last year, I was proud to vote for a bipartisan budget agreement that will keep our government running for another two years. While this deal was far from perfect it allows us to move forward as a nation. I will continue to work to create a budget that reduces our deficit in a responsible way while investing in the future of our country.

 

Legislation I’m Cosponsoring on Budget and Spending:

Biennial Budgeting and Enhanced Oversight Act of 2014

Improper Payments Agency Cooperation Enhancement Act of 2013

Audit the Pentagon Act of 2013

Eliminate Privacy Notice Confusion Act

Government Waste Reduction Act of 2013

No Budget, No Pay Act of 2013       

Wireless Tax Fairness Act of 2013

Preventing and Reducing Improper Medicare and Medicaid Expenditures (PRIME) Act of 2013

Foreign Aid Transparency and Accountability Act of 2013

Prohibiting the consideration of a concurrent resolution providing for adjournment unless the House has adopted a conference report on the budget resolution

 

Press Releases – Budget and Spending:              

Foster, Duckworth and Schneider Vote Against Republican Budget

Congresswoman Duckworth Holds Roundtable on Medicare and the Ryan Budget in Elk Grove Village

Congresswoman Duckworth’s Statement on Budget Deal

Congresswoman Duckworth Answers Questions on the Budget in Telephone Town Hall (Audio)

Congresswoman Duckworth Urges House Leadership to End Government Shutdown

Duckworth, Enyart, Walz Decry Playing Politics with our Nation’s VeteransCongresswoman Duckworth Answers Questions on the Budget in Telephone Town Hall (Audio)

Congresswoman Duckworth Urges House Leadership to End Government Shutdown

Student Loan Rate Increase Roundtable at College of Dupage

Congresswoman Duckworth Hosts Interactive Deficit Reduction Exercise

Congresswoman Duckworth Gives Floor Speech Opposing the Ryan Budget and Defending the Guaranteed Benefit of Medicare

Congresswoman Duckworth's Amendments Cutting Wasteful Spending, Creating Jobs for Veterans and Preventing Sexual Assault Pass Armed Services Committee

Rep. Duckworth on Waste at the Department of Homeland Security