December 18, 2005—Tonight, Congressman Trent Franks (AZ-02) is praising the agreement reached on the federal budget and made the following statement:

“Today’s budget agreement marks a notable day in our nation’s history.  With this measure, Congress is saving the American people more than $40 billion over five years.  Additionally, this is the first time in nearly ten years that Congress has taken these types of fundamental, broad steps towards reducing the federal deficit.” 

“Republicans are beginning to truly make good on the promise of fiscal responsibility – a promise I have personally made each year in Congress.  Within this new budget agreement are commonsense government reforms that make sweeping reductions, shrink the deficit and successfully keep our commitment to hardworking American taxpayers.”

“America has faced some incredible challenges over the last year, including two major hurricanes.  These disasters did make a substantial impact on our budget planning efforts, and yet, I am encouraged to report that America’s economy held strong despite these disasters.  Furthermore, Congress managed to not only tend to the needs of our citizens but also offset the cost of those catastrophes.  I joined my conservative colleagues in an effort named ‘Operation Offset’ to insist that we rein in federal spending in order to pay for Hurricane Katrina recovery.  That goal has been realized with this budget deal, and tonight, it will be considered on the House floor.  The billions of dollars that we are saving the people of America are now positioned as a down payment on our country’s future and prosperity.” 

Trent Franks is the Congressman from the 2nd Congressional District of Arizona.  He is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, the House Judiciary Committee and Vice Chairman of the Constitution Subcommittee.