Budget and Spending

Out-of-control spending is one of the most significant threats to American prosperity. For too long, lawmakers from both parties have been irresponsible with your tax dollars, amassing a national debt that has surpassed $20 trillion.

We must act now to ensure that our children and grandchildren do not inherit a mountain of debt and an America that is less free and prosperous because of our mandatory spending obligations. We must take a closer look at where we are spending taxpayer money and reevaluate what is a mandatory spending obligation to bring the ever increasing national debt and deficit down from its current levels today.

I will continue to work with the Trump administration to get our fiscal house back in order and not mortgage the financial futures of our children and grandchildren.

Balanced Budget Amendment

In addition to supporting fiscally responsible budgets, I strongly believe that we must add a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. That’s why I am a cosponsor of H.J.Res. 22, which would prohibit spending from exceeding revenues unless three-fifths of both the House and the Senate vote otherwise. Many states, including Tennessee, have balanced-budget requirements. It’s time to make your government in Washington live by the same rules. I will continue to support legislation authorizing a Balanced Budget Amendment so that we can hold the government’s feet to the fire and stop spending more than we have.

Bipartisan Budget Act

I am pleased our military received the funding it needs, but on balance I could not support H.R. 3877, the Bipartisan Budget Act, which passed the House on July 25, 2019 by a vote of 284 to 149. I was proud to support the Budget Control Act in 2011, and believe this legislation went too far in reversing the spending reforms we put in place that were the start of getting our fiscal house in order. Our country has a spending problem, and we need to get it under control.