Across-the Board Spending Cuts
ACROSS-THE-BOARD SPENDING CUTS -- (House of Representatives - November 01, 2005)
(Mrs. BLACKBURN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, the other day the President spoke out in support of across-the-board spending cuts as an option for reducing Federal spending. I want to applaud the President for joining us on this issue. On October 20, I wrote a letter of thanks to the President, thanking him for supporting across-the-board spending reductions.
In September, along with two of my colleagues, I introduced H.R. 3903, H.R. 3904, and H.R. 3906, 1, 2, and 5 percent across-the-board reduction bills for nondefense, non-Homeland Security discretionary spending. We have 18 members signed as co-sponsors, and I hope to continue building support for the reductions. Every Member in this body should be able to support at least a 1 percent reduction.
This House leadership has actively pushed to rein in spending, and I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting these bills.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Washington, DC, October 20, 2005.
Hon. GEORGE W. BUSH,
The White House,
Washington, DC.
DEAR PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you for promising to work with Congress to offset costs for Gulf Coast reconstruction with spending cuts. I know that you and I are committed to act in a fiscally responsible way in paying for the reconstruction efforts.
In your speech on October 4th from the Rose Garden, you stated that you want Congress to pay for as much of the hurricane relief as possible by cutting spending and that you will work with Congress to identify offsets to free up money for the reconstruction efforts. You also called on Congress to make real cuts in non-security spending.
Mr. President, I have introduced three bills that are significant first steps towards meeting your goals. The bills would enact across-the-board 1%, 2%, and 5% reductions in non-defense and non-homeland security discretionary spending. I believe that by working together on these proposals we can show the American people that you and I are dedicated to exercising spending restraint to prevent more federal debt passing on to future generations.
Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I look forward to working with you during the coming months.
Sincerely,
MARSHA BLACKBURN,
Member of Congress.
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