Jeff Crank Proposes Process to Cut Government Spending
Press Release
Jeff Crank Proposes Process to Cut Government Spending
Jeff Crank, Republican candidate for Congress in Colorado's Fifth Congressional District, today announced his plans for the first piece of legislation he will propose in Congress next year.
"This base closure process is a model mechanism for cutting government that makes good sense," said Crank, referring to the process initiated by former Rep. Dick Armey (R-TX) to select military bases for closure.
Crank is proposing a similar process that would be one way to carry out his vision to cut federal spending by 20 percent in 10 years. "I've proposed common-sense solutions like putting an expiration date on every government program, abolishing the IRS and eliminating earmarks. The base closure model could be utilized to develop specific plans for making significant cuts to government," said Crank.
As his first order of business in 2009, Crank says he'll introduce legislation to utilize this process in Congress to offer Members a means by which they can help eliminate spending and inefficient government programs. This legislation will call for an independent review of government agencies and programs in 2011, 2013 and 2015.
Crank explained that similar to the base closure process, an independent non-partisan commission would be appointed by Congressional, Senate and Presidential leadership to review the list of programs to be pruned. After the commission submits proposed cuts to government, Congress can either accept or reject the entire package-but they cannon make changes to it.
"Congress has simply not shown the political will to make real cuts in the size of government," said Crank. "We must take the politics out of the process by involving individuals who are not vested in various government programs. This will provide Congress with the opportunity to vote up or down on smaller government."
"You have to be willing to think outside the box to create better leadership," said Crank. "And you have to have the courage to take action on those ideas. This will be the first step I take towards my vision of changing Washington in January."
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