Bad Spending Deal Leaves American People Out of the Process
The bill to increase spending and bust through the debt ceiling that is making its way through Congress isn’t only a betrayal of conservatism but an example of government at its worst. I will be voting NO and hope you join my calls to see it and any similar legislation rejected.
Bills that adhere to these principles should NEVER be taken seriously:
Written in secret
Hidden until the last minute of an “artificial deadline”
Introduced without any ability for members to make changes
Legislation like this is reckless and has to stop. Ultimately, it hurts the very people we swore to serve.
Consider this passage from the Terms of the Bipartisan Budget Agreement 2019:
Appropriations bills: Specific spending decisions shall be left to the members of the Appropriations Committees, with 302(b)s set through the regular process of the committees. Congressional leaders and the administration agree that, relative to the FY 2019 regular appropriations Acts, there will be no poison pills, additional new riders, additional CHIMPS, or other changes in policy or conventions that allow for higher spending levels, or any non- appropriations measures unless agreed to on a bipartisan basis by the four leaders with the approval of the President. Current transfer funding levels and authorities shall be maintained, and any modifications must be agreed to on a bipartisan basis by the four leaders with the approval of the President. Any emergency spending levels must be agreed to on a bipartisan basis by the four leaders with the approval of the President.
This agreement gives almost all decision making authority for the budget to “four leaders” of Congress. Not surprisingly, these leaders of Congress are having a difficult time getting members to support the bill. In other words, members are given no opportunity to improve the bill, then we’re told we have to vote for it or bad things will happen.
As is often the case, the excessive levels of spending in these bills is unsustainable and reckless, but the process by which these bills are passed is the worst part of the deal.
If we’re not careful, Republicans and Democrats alike will continue to legislate our country into an irreversible deficit. And a last minute proposal that only increases our spending, can NOT be taken seriously.
Of course this is nothing new. This is a path Congress has been choosing for over the last ten years. However, I am now noticing a disturbing new trend. Americans seem to be getting less concerned about the dangers of this reckless behavior instead of more concerned – even though the problem is only getting worse.
We don’t have any time to waste and I hope you sign my pledge today so we can send a strong signal to the big-spenders in Washington that we’re not giving up.