Lewis: Congress Should Act NOW to Stop Exploding Deficits, Not Wait for Political Fiscal Commission

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Appropriations Ranking Republican Jerry Lewis today called on Democrat leaders to act immediately to rein in federal spending and to begin to trim back the nation’s unprecedented $1.3 trillion deficit and over $12 trillion national debt. Lewis stated that Congress must not outsource its budget responsibilities to political fiscal commission that will not make a single budget recommendation until after the November election.

 

“With the April 15th deadline for the budget resolution come and gone, with an 85% increase in non-defense discretionary spending in just two years, and with a new health care law that will cost billions more than they reported, it is clear that the Democrat Congress  has been fundamentally unconcerned with skyrocketing government spending.

“Now, with an election around the corner and the American people worried sick about our nation’s huge deficits and debt, and Democrat leaders want to off-load their budget responsibilities to a ‘fiscal commission.’ Eventually, this commission may or may not produce interesting ideas, but make no mistake – it is simply a political tool to allow the Democrat majority to avoid public scrutiny and outsource tough budget decisions in an election year.

 

“The public is asking us to stop efforts to make government a larger part of every American’s life and take control our spending and debt before it takes control of us. Congress must engage in immediate and decisive action to rein in spending, recapture funds from failed programs and policies, and make careful decisions with the taxpayers’ money – not stick our heads in the sand until after November 9th,” Lewis said.