Fiscal Responsibility
Over the years, Democrats have shown our commitment to restoring fiscal responsibility by taking actions that have reduced our national deficit while investing in the American people’s priorities. During the 117th Congress, House Democrats delivered the landmark Inflation Reduction Act, which will reduce the deficit by over $300 billion while lowering health care and energy costs and taking action on climate change. In sharp contrast, Republicans jammed their 2017 Trump Tax Scam through Congress without a single hearing, gifting trillions of dollars in unpaid-for tax handouts to the wealthiest Americans and large corporations while leaving our nation with ballooning deficits. They have repeatedly held our economy hostage to benefit their irresponsible ideological agenda, whether creating artificial “fiscal cliffs,” shutting down the government, or bringing our nation to the brink of defaulting on its obligations. With other landmark legislation delivered during the 117th Congress, including the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the CHIPS and Science Act, Democrats have worked to invest in economic recovery, job creation, all while cutting the deficit in half last year. Democrats are committed to continuing our work to restore sound, long-term fiscal management so future generations can afford to invest in opportunities, secure the American Dream, and ensure workers have the tools to Make It In America.
I have been privileged to serve alongside my friend, Mel Watt, for the past twenty years, and I congratulate him on his nomination to be our next Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA).
“I am disappointed that Republicans have chosen to move forward with their so-called debt prioritization bill.
“The President’s budget proposal is a serious compromise to reduce deficits in a balanced way.
“Once again, Republicans have passed a budget that places the burden of deficit reduction most heavily on the backs of the middle class and those most in need.
"Congress has a responsibility to keep our government running and serving the American people.
Today’s editorial in the New York Times makes the point you’ve been hearing from us for a while: Republicans’ problem isn’t their message. But it’s entertaining to watch Republican leaders who still haven’t figured that out. Some highlights (or lowlights, as the case may be):
“I think the American people want us to adopt a common-sense path forward and get us to fiscal sustainability. They understand that we haven't been managing the finances of the country the way we ought to be.
“Americans expect their representatives to craft a budget that reflects our nation’s priorities and challenges, which is what the House Democratic budget released today by Ranking Member Van Hollen does.
We shouldn’t be surprised. According to POLITICO, despite Republicans’ support of the sequester, it turns out they don’t like these cuts when it impacts their districts:
“Republicans have been most prominent in seeking relief. Sen. Jerry Moran wants to shift $50 million to protect contract air-traffic control towers important to rural states like his own Kansas.”
“Well obviously [reaching a budget agreement] will take compromise. We’ve had a very difficult time getting to that. The Ryan budget frankly is a rehash of last year's budget and the budget before that.