Weekly Columns and Op-Eds

When I first came to Congress, it was painfully evident our government was broken.  Like you, I was concerned the conversations in Washington were centered on expanding government, spending money we did not have, and increasing taxes.  I promised the people of my district that I would fight the tide and stop the growth in spending and bureaucratic growth in Washington.   Seven months into my term, I can confidently say my conservative colleagues and I have changed the conversation in Washington. 

The Budget Reform Act of 2011 may not fix all of our problems, but it represents a major step forward in completely changing the direction of our nation.   Instead of higher taxes, we held the line.  Instead of increasing the size of government, we authorized trillions in cuts and more than we authorized the Treasury to borrow.   Most importantly, we have a real chance to present a balanced budget amendment before the states.  That represents a true change of course. 

As recently as April 15th, the President’s Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Jack Lew, stated it is the President’s “strong view[…] that the debt limit should be passed as a clean, standalone bill,” meaning without spending cuts.  My conservative colleagues and I made it clear to the President that was not acceptable.  On May 31st, I voted, alongside 317 of my colleagues from both political parties, against a debt ceiling increase without cuts, and thereby began serious discussions about a fiscally responsible way to increase the debt ceiling. 

Some believe Congress should not increase the debt ceiling under any condition, and I certainly understand that sentiment. Ultimately, this was too risky.  Many credible financial experts warned that default would have been disastrous for the U.S. economy.  I shared that concern.  I could not accept a national default.  Congress would not compromise the full faith and credit of the United States under my watch. 

Throughout this process, I was clear to you, my constituents, about my position in this fight. My preferred reform-centered proposal was the Cut, Cap, and Balance legislation that passed the House, with my support, on July 19th.  Unfortunately, the United States Senate refused to even consider the legislation.  I voted against Harry Reid’s ill-advised proposal which contained no long term solutions to our spending crisis.  I also publically expressed opposition to the original “McConnell Plan,” which ceded constitutional power from Congress and gave the President the authority to unilaterally raise the debt ceiling.

Ultimately, I fought for the strongest reforms that could pass a Republican-controlled House and a Democrat-controlled Senate, and also be signed into law by President Obama.  On August 1, alongside a bipartisan group of 268 Members of Congress, I voted for S. 365, the Budget Control Act of 2011. While I would have preferred much further cuts, this proposal averted a debt default crisis while moving our country an important step forward towards fiscal sanity.  And in light of the stock market turmoil and credit down grade since that vote, I am thankful I was on the right side of history.  We can only imagine how far the markets would have crashed if the U.S. defaulted on its loans.  Real security and stability will only be achieved if we enact a balanced budget amendment.  The passage of the Budget Control Act ensures that both the U.S. House and Senate I ask everyone, from both sides of the aisle, to support this necessary amendment.  The future of our country depends on it.

I was sent to Washington to change the direction of this country.  I was not sent here to take empty votes that accomplish nothing.  I voted for the bill because it contains provisions for deep cuts, no tax increases, and a balanced budget amendment vote.  I was not going to look on from the sidelines because the bill was not 100% perfect.  Our debt and spending crisis is like a super tanker.   In order to bring a supertanker to a stop, you cut engines many miles from port.   As each spending fight has occurred over the past seven months, my conservative colleagues and I continue to veer our tanker away from its current course. 

When I return to Congress in September, the next battle begins.  The U.S. House has passed seven appropriations bills.  The Senate has not passed one.  In fact, it has not passed a budget in over 825 days under Majority Leader Harry Reid’s watch.   A continuing resolution to fund the government for fiscal year 2012 will need to be passed before September 30th to once again avoid a government shutdown.  I will fight to ensure whatever deal is reached continues to build on the progress made this week. 

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