Coalition Urges Congress to Follow Spending Limits Set Forth By Congress

Right now in Washington congressional leaders are crafting spending bills to continue the funding of the government and there is always a temptation when writing an appropriations bill to fill it with unnecessary spending. This is a problem that isn’t going away anytime soon but there are ways to combat this overspending and Congress has even played a role at times.  Last week, in an effort led by the National Taxpayers Union, TPA joined several other free-market and taxpayer groups in urging the Congress to follow the spending limits set forth in the Budget Control Act of 2011 (BAC) and the House passed budget when it comes time to pass appropriations bills. In a time where we are facing serious debt and deficit problems, it is crucial that Congress does not break their own rules and exceed the spending limits set forth in the Sequester, and in fiscal year 2014, compliance means a reduction in total discretionary spending by 2 percent to a level of $967 billion… Congress must adhere to this limit to show taxpayers that fiscal discipline is feasible in a time when it is absolutely necessary. The Taxpayers Protection Alliance will be following all the latest developments as it relates to the upcoming appropriations bills and we hope that Congress will act responsibly.

Read the full letter here: 

June 12, 2013

An Open Letter to the House of Representatives: Don’t Allow Appropriations to Exceed Sequester

As Congress considers appropriations bills for fiscal year (FY) 2014, the undersigned organizations strongly urge you not to exceed the overall spending level set forth by the Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA) and the House-passed budget.

As you know, the federal government is facing serious debt and deficit problems primarily caused by structurally unsound entitlement programs and a long history of reckless spending. The BCA represents a modest but still tangible step toward fiscal restraint. For FY2014, adherence to the law requires merely reducing total discretionary spending by 2 percent to a level of $967 billion. This is necessary both as a matter of sound policy, as well as to demonstrate to the American taxpayer an ongoing commitment to fiscal discipline.

Recently, President Obama issued a veto threat against appropriations bills as part of his efforts to “turn off” the sequester. This makes it even more vital for the House of Representatives to display leadership on this issue and pursue additional reductions in discretionary spending beyond what is required by current law. To this end, the many groups represented here have all offered numerous prudent suggestions.

Based on the House-approved allocation figures, four of the 12 appropriations bills are slated to increase spending above FY2013 levels. While it may make good sense to adjust the funding for several bills to address House priorities, it is imperative that the House reject any Senate plan to exceed the overall spending cap. Leaders in the Senate have already indicated that they will attempt to increase spending and ignore the sequester. Increased spending for certain appropriation bills in the House must not create a pathway to exceed BCA caps.

At a minimum, we hope you will work to limit total appropriations to BCA levels and reject attempts by President Obama and others to undo the relatively small, but important progress that has been made toward a less burdensome budget.

Sincerely,

Brandon Arnold, VP Gov’t Affairs, National Taxpayers Union

Phil Kerpen, President, American Commitment

James Valvo, Director of Policy, Americans for Prosperity

Grover Norquist, President, Americans for Tax Reform

John Tate, President, Campaign for Liberty

Andrew F. Quinlan, President, Center for Freedom and Prosperity

Jonathan Bydlak, President, Coalition to Reduce Spending

Mattie Duppler, Executive Director, Cost of Government Center

Tom Schatz, President, Council for Citizens Against Government Waste

Matt Kibbe, President and CEO, FreedomWorks

Seton Motley, President, Less Government

David Williams, President, Taxpayers Protection Alliance