Reducing Non-Securtiy Spending to Fiscal Year 2008 Levels or Less

Floor Speech

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Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you for your great service to our country over the time we have served together here. We are classmates from 1980. We were part of the Reagan crop.

Madam Speaker, this is the first step in the effort to reduce discretionary spending to fiscal 2008 levels or below and show the American people that we are serious about reducing the out-of-control government spending that is hampering our economic growth.

Now, the gentleman on the other side of the aisle complains that he does not see a number. Well, he had a chance last year, along with his colleagues in the majority then at that time, to pass a budget resolution with specific numbers in it, and refused. And they refused until they lost control of the House. The number will be coming in due course of time.

The message from the American people was crystal clear in the last election: they want government to spend less, stop undue interference in American lives and businesses, and take action to create jobs and get our economy moving once again.

To do this, we must dramatically cut the massive spending that has dominated discretionary budgets in past years. In order to put our economy on the fast track to recovery, we have to shorten the reach of Uncle Sam, cut up his credit cards, and allow Americans' businesses the opportunity to grow, employ people, and make the economy grow.

Starting with the continuing resolution, the CR, my committee will begin to make the largest series of spending cuts in history, Madam Speaker. Members and staff are working diligently on this as we speak, going line by line to find specific areas and programs to cut. We hope and expect this legislation will soon be brought to the floor in a fair, open and transparent manner, giving all Members from both sides of the aisle an opportunity for amendments.

Let there be no mistake: the cuts that are coming will not be easy to make. They will not represent low-hanging fruit. These cuts will go deep and wide and will hit virtually every agency and every congressional district in the country, including my own. Every dollar that we cut will have a constituency, an industry, an association, and individual citizens who will disagree. And every dollar that we don't cut will also be put into question.

But the fact remains that we are in a national fiscal crisis. We must get our budgets--both discretionary and mandatory--under control. To this end, my committee will put forward appropriations bills this year that will fulfill our pledge to cut spending to the pre-stimulus, pre-bailout levels of 2008. And this will be the beginning--not the end--of the effort.

I have issued instructions to all 12 of our subcommittees to conduct strenuous oversight, including investigations and hundreds of hearings to weed out duplicative, wasteful and unnecessary spending, and prioritize Federal programs so we can make the most out of every precious tax dollar.

Madam Speaker, it is clear that cutting spending will require toughness and resolve. This will not be easy, it will not be quick, and it won't be without pain, but the success of our economy and our future prosperity depend on it.

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