Fiscal Reform and the Economy

Rep. Whitfield speaks about jobs at the GE Aviation Plant in Madisonville.

Washington’s spending addiction is simply unsustainable and threatens America’s economic success and the potential for future generations to succeed. We can no longer afford an ever expanding federal government and we must address this crisis now.

Congress must take responsibility for the out of control spending that has occurred in recent history and make the difficult but necessary financial decisions to balance the budget. Families in the First Congressional District do this every day and Congress should be held to the same standard. Our nation is currently more than $17 trillion in debt and the national unemployment remains historically high. Unfortunately, the Commonwealth’s unemployment rate is even higher than the national average. I am committed to doing everything I can to promote job growth in our Kentucky communities and get our economy back on track.

Since taking control of the House of Representatives, Republicans have passed a budget every year and advanced numerous jobs bills designed to empower small business owners, encourage entrepreneurship, simplify the tax code, increase competitiveness for our manufacturers, maximize domestic energy production, and pay down our debt. Unfortunately, the Senate has refused to act on a majority these measures. I will continue to support initiatives that stimulate our economy, eliminate government waste and duplication, and reduce federal spending.

Biennial Budget Proposal

I have serious concerns about the current budget process. Over the last ten years, the House of Representatives and the United States Senate have agreed on a budget only six times. While I understand the importance of prioritizing federal spending, it’s becoming more and more apparent that the current budget process is broken, increases partisanship, and confuses the American people.

That Is why I introduced H.R. 3059, ‘The Biennial Budgeting and Appropriations Act of 2013". I am confident that this proposal is one way to trim wasteful government spending by reforming and streamlining the federal budget process into a two year cycle. For years now I have advocated moving to a two year system of budgeting that would allow Congress one year to appropriate funds and one year to review and improve current federal programs. I genuinely believe this type of system would simplify the process and make it easier to achieve the goals of reducing spending and balancing the budget.