Columns
Earlier this month, President Obama released his budget even though it was due on February 4th. While the House and Senate have already passed 10-year budget resolutions and the President’s proposals have little chance of being enacted, it is a revealing look at his priorities and vision for America.
Last month, spending cuts took effect to reduce spending by $1.2 trillion over 10 years as agreed to in the Budget Control Act of 2011. These cuts, also known as the “sequester” were accompanied by dire warnings from President Obama and others about the catastrophic impacts reducing government spending would have on our economy and safety.
It has now been more than three years since the controversial health care law was pushed through Congress and signed by President Obama. Since the law was passed premiums have increased, health care costs continue to rise, small businesses have been burdened, and the estimated price of the law continues to increase.
The budget process is one of the most basic functions of government - to set priorities of how to best use tax dollars. Every year, Congress and the President are required by law to agree to a 10-year budget resolution to manage our nation’s long-term finances. However, for too long we have not used the budget process to improve the fiscal condition of our country.
Nebraska farmers are among the most efficient and productive in the world. Our producers have embraced new technologies and techniques to produce an abundance of crops, opening the door to increased trade and helping to feed the world. These advances have not only helped American agriculture thrive, but also play a critical role in meeting global food demands of the present and future.
Many Americans, including myself, are often frustrated by the inability of Congress to get important legislation passed. Congress was unable to agree to a new long-term Farm Bill last year. The Senate has not passed a budget in nearly four years. And it seems like Congress and the President are locked in constant showdowns to avoid the latest ceiling, cliff, or shutdown.
The so-called “sequester” is the latest showdown to grip the attention of Washington and the nation. The House of Representatives voted twice to replace these arbitrary cuts before the March 1 deadline with commonsense reductions and reforms. However, these cuts are now in effect because the President and the Senate have yet to propose and pass a viable alternative.