|
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Randy Neugebauer (TX-19) voted for a responsible budget alternative offered by House Republicans today that would not increase taxes. When that proposal did not pass, he voted against a budget advanced by the majority that would allow higher taxes and more spending. That budget passed by a vote of 213-206.
“This budget vote is a choice of whether you think the federal government has an income problem or a spending problem,” said Neugebauer. “I voted for a budget that says the federal government has plenty of income and must take steps to stop spending far beyond its means. I voted against a budget that says Americans should pay $683 billion more in taxes over the next five years, which would amount to $2,755 more in taxes each year for an average Texas family.”
The alternative budget Neugebauer supported assumes the lower tax rates, higher child tax credit and death tax elimination enacted in 2001 and 2003 would be made permanent. The budget would limit the growth of spending for domestic programs while allowing needed funding for national security and veterans. The budget would also require Congress to begin to take steps this year to reform vital programs such as Medicare and Medicaid that are growing at an unsustainable rate in order to protect them for future generations.
“Congress must decide whether we are going start to address the unfunded liabilities of important programs like Medicare and Medicaid that people rely on every day or continue to put off reforms while the situation gets worse. Congress must decide whether to hold the line on the deficit or allow it to increase,” said Neugebauer. “While adoption of this budget opens the door to higher spending and a larger deficit, I will dedicate my efforts this year to keeping Congress from going further down that path.”
The House Budget Resolution is an outline for the spending and tax decisions that Congress will make through the year and a projection for the next five years. It sets a total level of spending and revenue that all legislation must fit within.
###
|
