Ranking Member Lewis Responds to “Excessive” Democrat Budget Proposal

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Jerry Lewis, the senior Republican on the House Appropriations Committee, has issued the following statement on the Democrat’s budget proposal released today.

“The last thing the American people need now, in a time of war and economic slowdown, is to watch their hard earned tax-dollars waste away through excessive increases in government spending - especially when these increases would be paid for by largest tax hike on American families in our 230 year history. Unfortunately for taxpayers across the country, this is exactly what the Democrat’s budget proposal would do.

While we must continue to provide for the nation’s vital needs, including funding for the war and homeland security, the Democrat’s proposal contains unwarranted increases in overall spending that will only cause more strain on the wallets of taxpayers without providing them the relief many desperately need.

We must keep a firm hand on spending to safeguard our nation’s financial future and maintain the trust of the American people. I encourage my Democratic colleagues to re-think their proposal and work in a bi-partisan fashion to fund critical national necessities, hold a firm line on spending, and prevent the politics of an election year from dictating budget decisions.”