Watchdog Slams Congress for Nearly $1.7T Federal Budget Proposal

For Immediate Release                                                 Contact: Abigail Graham: (202) 417-7235

December 19, 2022                                                                              

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As a government shutdown looms on Friday December 23, 2022, Congress is looking to pass an estimated $1.7 trillion Omnibus spending bill. The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) reminds members of Congress that it was their refusal to act in a timely manner to pass appropriations bills that has now resulted in a massive trillion-dollar spending bill filled with pork barrel earmarks. And, all of this is happening just days before Christmas.

In response, TPA President David Williams, offered the following comment:

“With Christmas just days away, there is no time for members of Congress to properly review this nearly 3,000-page monstrosity that would make the Grinch blush. The most egregious additions to the spending bill are the roughly 7,500 earmarks with a price tag of nearly $16 billion inserted by Members of Congress. Earmarks were banned in 2011 because of their price tag and corruptive nature of the projects.  Members of Congress and disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff went to jail because of influence peddling with earmarks.

“For the past year, American families have been faced with the economic hardships that stem from rampant and unchecked inflation. It is disheartening to see Congress refuse fiscal responsibility when they have had ample time to create a better solution to government funding.

“The simple fact remains that the 117^th Congress has failed to pass a budget in either of its sessions and has relied on continuing resolutions (CR’s) and omnibuses to fund the government. We urge this Congress to pass a CR that extends into 2023 and allow the newly elected 118^th Congress the chance to properly review legislation which so greatly affects American taxpayers.”

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Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to educating the public through the research, analysis and dissemination of information on the government’s effects on the economy.