Duffy Votes for Largest Spending Cut Since WWII, Sets Stage for More Reform

Statement

U.S.Congressman Sean Duffy (WI-07), a member of the Financial Services Committee and the Joint Economic Committee, issued the following statement after voting for H.R. 1473to fund the federal government for the rest of Fiscal Year 2011:

"I ran for Congress to reduce the size of government, remove barriers to job creation and to restore the American Dream. While not perfect, the continuing resolution today is an important step in the right direction.

"Let's remember the context for this vote. Last year's Congress failed to pass, or even propose a budget, while ramping up federal spending to unprecedented and reckless levels. They kicked the can to this Congress. This year, the House, led by a new Republican majority, has repeatedly led the way in passing measures to clean up the mess of the last Congress and restore fiscal sanity to Washington. The Senate has repeatedly refused to act, and the President has been noticeably absent in providing any meaningful leadership.

"As a result of Senate Democrats and the Administration's failure to lead or propose any plan to deal with our deficit, the federal government almost shut down. The deal that Speaker Boehner secured late last week accomplished not only historic spending cuts--$315 billion over ten years--but did so without tax increases on job creators.

"Obviously, the CR is not perfect. Last November, the American people spoke in a clear voice that they want their federal government to live within its means. Those of us who heard that message want more cuts and more reform. But this CR is just the first step in a long process to fundamentally change the way Washington spends the People's money. Already, we've witnessed a remarkable change in Congress: instead of debating about how much to spend, the debate is over how much to cut.

"Tomorrow, the debate will shift from billions to trillions when the House votes on the Budget Committee's FY2012 budget resolution. With a $14 trillion debt, $53 trillion in unfunded liabilities and a $1.6 trillion deficit this year alone, this is precisely the debate we need to be having.

"I was disappointed with the President's overtly partisan speech yesterday and the unfair criticism of the only serious plan to deal with our nation's fiscal crisis. But I remain hopeful that we will be able to come together across the aisle and across both chambers of Congress to find solutions that will get our fiscal house in order and chart a path to renewed prosperity."

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