| Washington, DC: Congressman Kenny Marchant (TX-24) reacted favorably to President George W. Bush's 2006 Budget Request, which was submitted to Congress today.
"I am encouraged by the President's enforcement of spending restraint and deficit reduction goals," said Marchant. "In order to sustain this country's economic expansion and boost confidence in the American economy, the federal government must make fiscal discipline a top priority."
The President's 2006 Budget is the first since the Reagan Administration to propose cuts to non-security related discretionary spending. The Budget holds overall discretionary spending to below the projected rate of inflation, even with significant increases in homeland security and defense-related spending.
The Budget also proposes more than 150 reductions and eliminations for federal programs, saving a total of about $20 billion in the year 2006 alone.
"I support government efforts to manage public tax dollars as efficiently as possible," said Marchant. "We must focus federal resources on programs that work, not programs that are obsolete and ineffective. Government spending is best treated with a business approach; our goal should be to maximize output and achieve results at a reasonable cost."
Marchant also applauded the President's mandatory spending reforms. Under the proposal, legislation that increases mandatory spending must be offset by reductions elsewhere. Tax increases cannot be used as offsets to mandatory spending increases. The plan would save a total of $137 billion over a 10-year period.
"We must look beyond only discretionary spending and focus on managing mandatory costs as well," Marchant commented. "Action needs to be taken to make certain federal spending does not place an unreasonable burden on the economy."
"For too long, Democrats and Republicans in Washington have treated taxpayers" hard-earned money recklessly. No one manages their home or business budgets the way the government does theirs. Today the President outlined a budget that takes the right steps to become more frugal, smart, and responsible with tax dollars. I am optimistic about the prospects of reigning in spending and look forward to working with the President and Congress to do so this session.?"
CONTACT:
Annie Christian
(202) 225-6605
annie.christian@mail.house.gov |
