Federal Budget

There is a spending problem in Washington and it is long past time the federal government stepped up with solutions to our fiscal crisis. I stand ready to work with my colleagues to rein in this excess and get our nation’s fiscal house in order. Families in Southern Michigan have to balance their budget and the federal government should be no different. However, the Biden Administration’s runaway federal spending littered with wasteful spending has only exacerbated the fiscal crisis.

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Current Crisis

Currently, the United States national debt is more than $31 trillion dollars. Unless Congress acts, CBO projects, growing budget deficits will increase the debt sharply over the next 30 years. The projected budget deficits are projected to boost federal debt to 107 percent of GDP in 2031, and to 185 percent of GDP by 2052. I have long been in favor of a Balanced Budget Amendment, which would ensure long-term fiscal responsibility by requiring the federal government to spend no more than it takes in.

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Budget Process

Federal law requires Congress to produce a budget each fiscal year to set spending limits. Under normal process 1) the President submits a budget proposal to Congress, 2) both chambers produce their own budget resolution, and 3) Congress passes appropriations bills that set the spending levels.  Unfortunately, implementing the budget process is always much more complicated. I would encourage you to review this report by the Congressional Research Service for a more detailed analysis.

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The House Budget

The federal government must solve its debt crisis by bringing spending in line with taxes – not taxes in line with spending. This duty is fulfilled through adoption of a budget resolution. During my time in Congress I have supported budget resolutions that would achieve trillions in deficit reduction over a ten-year window. Unfortunately, Speaker Pelosi has neglected to produce a budget resolution, choosing to govern by continuing resolutions, an irresponsible stop-gap measure. There should be robust debate on the allocation of federal resources, and a careful examination of federal programs that need increased or decreased federal funding. Congress needs to put forward a plan to correct our unsustainable fiscal path. Failure to do so will result in a fiscal crisis which will adversely affect every American family, and pass a burden onto our the next generation. To learn more, please visit the House Budget Committee website.

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