Issue Position: Spending Cuts and Debt

Issue Position

Cut Spending and Balance the Budget

As a strong fiscal conservative, I believe that cutting government spending, lowering taxes and balancing the federal budget are critical to give future generations a fair shot at the American dream. With an $18 trillion national debt that continues to grow, we cannot afford to wait any longer to get our fiscal house in order.

As the Mayor of Heath, Texas, I balanced the budget all eight years I was in office while also refusing to raise taxes. As your Representative in Congress, I've cosponsored a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution (H.J. Res. 1.), which would bring much needed fiscal discipline to Washington. This measure has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee where it awaits approval to be brought to the House Floor for a vote. When last brought before Congress in 2014, it was only two votes short of passing, and I am hopeful it will pass this year.

If passed, the Balanced Budget Amendment would ensure that Congress doesn't spend more than it receives in revenues each year. It would also require the president to submit a balanced budget to Congress each year and require a three-fifths majority vote to increase the debt limit. Beyond this, federal spending would be capped 20 percent of GDP unless a two-thirds majority in each chamber of Congress voted specifically to exceed this amount.

The best way to improve the economy is by promoting conservative, pro-growth policies that encourage investment -- not by allowing excessive government spending that crowds it out. Forty-nine out of fifty U.S. states, including Texas, currently require balanced budgets, and it is time for the federal government to do the same.

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