South Lake Today

Washington, DC – On May 31, 2023, the U.S. House passed H.R. 3746 the Fiscal Accountability Act of 2023 which requires Congress to spend less this year than it did last year and institutes welfare reforms that reduce mandatory spending for the first time in a decade, while responsibly addressing the debt ceiling crisis. Congressman Daniel Webster, R-Clermont, a consistent voice and vote for reducing government spending and restoring fiscal responsibility released the following statement about his vote.

“For the first time in over a decade, Congress has embraced budget caps – as a result, the federal government’s discretionary spending will be less next year. I fought for budget caps of 2011 and opposed the budgets proposed by Democrats and Republicans alike over the last ten years that pierced these caps and excessively spent taxpayer dollars.

“Children born today have a $95,000 bill from Washington – their share of America’s national debt.  I owe it to my grandchildren and everyone’s grandchildren to embrace an opportunity I haven’t had since 2014 and that is to vote for a bill that requires Washington to spend less than it did the previous year.

“House Republicans successfully forced the White House to accept expanded work requirements, which will result in the first reduction to mandatory spending in a decade. Given mandatory spending is one of the largest drivers of the national debt this is a good step in the right direction. I am particularly pleased by the provision that mandates another spending cut if Congress fails to pass 12 appropriations bills. I have been a loud and often minority voice for Congress to follow regular order when developing government spending bills. A flawed process will create a flawed product and compelling Congressional leaders to restore a thoughtful, thorough appropriations process is a big win!  I voted for this bill today because I believe in ensuring the health of the U.S. economy.  While I wish the spending reductions and caps were more substantial, this bill is a step in the right direction and meets my requirement that any debt ceiling increase must include spending limits and reductions.

“Congress has another opportunity to improve on this legislation in the upcoming appropriations bills.  I reject the Washington presumption that nothing in the budget can be cut in order to fund priorities without increasing the deficit. I urge my colleagues to join me in this and develop 12 appropriations bills that further reduce spending and put our nation on a responsible fiscal path.”

Original source can be found here.