Power of the Purse

In January, I sent a short email to Third District residents asking which issue should be the top priority for Congress this year. More than 2,700 constituents responded to this brief, non-scientific poll. Terrorism and national security received the most votes with 22 percent of responses, but reducing our national debt was a close second at 20 percent.

I share this concern about addressing the culture of spending in Washington. Our national debt now exceeds $19 trillion. We must use the legislative process to force the federal government to abide by a budget, just as families and businesses do.

During this presidential election season, candidates have channeled many Americans’ frustrations about the state of our country and divided government. However, one often unsung accomplishment of Republicans in Congress is how we have shifted the conversation in Washington from how much to spend to how much to cut.

Since Fiscal Year 2009, we have cut discretionary spending by $270 billion while blocking numerous costly regulations and policies put forth by the Obama administration.

Last year, the House and Senate passed the first joint 10-year balanced budget resolution since 2001. The House Budget Committee recently approved a budget resolution for Fiscal Year 2017 which includes important reforms to entitlement programs to ensure their long-term solvency. In the coming weeks, I hope we can proceed with the budgeting process under regular order.

In addition to reining in spending, a budget serves as a roadmap for Congress to determine how government revenue is spent. President Obama has used his pen not only to go around Congress but also to issue costly regulations and grow the federal bureaucracy. Through the appropriations process, Congress can use its constitutional power of the purse to conduct needed oversight of federal agencies and stand against executive overreach.

Over the past few weeks, I have submitted letters to the House Appropriations Committee about opportunities to defund many pieces of President Obama’s regulatory agenda, including his Waters of the U.S. rule (WOTUS) and burdensome regulations on power plants, anhydrous ammonia, and ethanol. Additionally, I have expressed my continued support for defunding Planned Parenthood.

The budget and appropriations processes are fundamental responsibilities of Congress, and I am ready to continue our work to cut spending and put our country on a more sustainable course. Making difficult choices and substantive reforms now will ensure future generations can experience prosperity and opportunity in America.

If you would like to participate in future poll questions and receive my e-newsletters with updates on issues such as government spending, please visit my website at www.AdrianSmith.house.gov and subscribe to my email list. Your direct feedback is invaluable in helping me represent you in Congress.