Why we need to Cut, Cap and Balance

Last fall, you sent me to Congress to make a difference, and to get our fiscal house in order before our country faces irreversible economic consequences. I came to Washington in January thanks to your support, and I am fighting every day to achieve the things you asked of me: to tackle our government’s addiction to spending, get government out of the way, and create jobs to get our great American economic engine roaring again.

You have likely been following the partisan back-and-forth that has been going on in Washington regarding the debt ceiling. If you are like most Americans watching this debate, you are anxious for real solutions and substantive reform that will get our country out of the red and into the black.

This week I became a prime sponsor of a plan proposed by other fiscal conservatives in the United States House of Representatives called the Cut, Cap and Balance Act.

The Cut Cap and Balance Act (HR 2560) would:

1. Cut spending in 2012 by $111 billion;
2. Cap spending at 19.9% of GDP, which is consistent with previous historic averages;
3. Requires Congress to approve a balanced budget amendment, which stipulates that spending cannot exceed revenue.

One of the most important elements of this plan is that it puts spending reductions in place right now, unlike other proposals from President Obama and Congressional Democrats that delay any cuts until after the 2012 election.  Delaying spending cuts by two years is unfair to the American people who have asked for real solutions, and even worse, it subjects the voters to Washington’s political games at our economy’s expense. This is the time for responsible, courageous leadership that puts our country’s future above personal gain, and certainly above individual bids for re-election.

I know the American people are tired of rhetoric and political bickering – I am too. But I am confident that the Cut, Cap and Balance measure is a good proposal that will force our government to live within its means by enacting permanent spending caps and significant cuts as soon as possible. It is a good plan that will address our short term debt limit issue and our long term addiction to government spending.

Unfortunately, I have just learned the Democratic-controlled Senate voted this measure down this afternoon, but I remain hopeful that a deal can be reached containing these basic common sense principles.

I will continue to protect the principles we cherish and do all I can to return our country to greatness and I am continually grateful for your prayers and support. I truly believe that America’s not broken, Washington is. And it is only through courageous action by courageous leaders that we can begin to enact true reform and preserve a more prosperous economic future for all.