Since the second session of the 112th Congress begins in January, I'd like to focus this week on the road ahead.
Since the second session of the 112th Congress begins in January, I’d like to focus this week on the road ahead. This new session will build on efforts already underway, but hopefully yield more cooperation from the Senate and president to move our country forward. In 2010, the American people made some very particular demands of their government and in 2011, the new House majority has done its very best to meet the demands of our hard-working families. The task in 2012 is to continue to meet those demands. It is a daunting task, but one my colleagues and I are ready to meet head on.
House conservatives made good on our promise to pass a budget that rolls back government spending to pre-stimulus, pre-bailout levels, in order to save taxpayers billions without job-killing tax increases. In 2012, I will continue to support the principles of U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan’s Fiscal Year 2012 budget blueprint because it reduces our debt as a percentage and puts the nation on a path to actually pay it off. We also passed a series of free trade agreements that will create demand for American and Missouri goods in 2012 and beyond. These free trade agreements will expand market opportunities that, in the long run, will create quality jobs and have a very positive effect on our agricultural economy here in Missouri. In order to get our debt at home back under control, we also passed legislation that placed critical caps on spending. On the jobs front, House conservatives passed through the House 27 bills designed to expand business opportunities, spur job creation and return fiscal sanity to the federal government.
As we enter 2012, I remain hopeful that the Senate and the president will stop ignoring these 27 economic building blocks, put partisan and election year politics aside, and allow these proposals to become law. And even though were came up just short in the House last year, I will continue to support an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that will require the federal government to balance its budget, just like Missouri families and businesses, as well as 49 out of 50 states, do. The concept of not spending more than you can afford is a simple and effective way to secure our children and grandchildren’s economic future.
In 2012, House conservatives will continue to ask all federal agencies to do more with less because I know Missouri families and businesses are doing just that. Congress itself – yes, you read that right – is also going to do more with less. In 2011 and 2012, the combined cuts we have made to our office operating budgets will total 11.4 percent, and we’ll also continue to freeze salaries for members of Congress. I’ve seen no evidence to suggest that further cuts to our operating budgets won’t continue in 2013 and beyond. Our goal should be to create a leaner, meaner, more responsive, and more efficient government.
Congress must also avoid the temptation of ignoring Standard and Poors’ 2011 decision to downgrade the U.S.’ credit rating for the first time in history. While it served as a wake-up call for Washington in the weeks after the move, the potential in 2012 of another crippling downgrade would seriously limit – or outright prevent -- economic recovery. We must do everything we can to restore confidence of the ratings agencies by abandoning reckless spending habits of the past and prove to the world that we have a plan for the future. We cannot kick the can down the road as the troubled countries of Europe have done. It is easy for some to lose sight of the downgrade; after all, there is still demand for U.S. treasuries by investors. However, this has more to do with other countries being more risky for investment than the U.S., rather than an indication that our debt problem has actually been solved.
It would be irresponsible to raise taxes in 2012 because it would put devastating hardships on our economy and our workforce. Instead of punishing Americans with higher taxes, we should instead use 2012 as an opportunity to reform an inefficient tax code that discourages savings and investment and continues to hinder economic growth. As a supporter of tax reform, I will continue to work for a simpler tax system that includes closing loopholes and provide mechanisms by which individuals and businesses can keep more of their hard-earned money.
The New Year provides Congress with the opportunity to build on policies to enhance your quality of life, and it’s a cooperative effort between me and the people of the 9th Congressional District. Entering 2012, my offices throughout the district and in Washington, D.C. are poised to listen to your concerns and suggestions. I personally will be doing the same by attending hundreds of meetings back home in Missouri and in Washington. Our efforts on Facebook and YouTube will continue as will our correspondence programs and telephone town hall meetings. Only by working together can our common goal of making 2012 a year of prosperity and progress for all hard-working American families be achieved. I wish you all a very blessed and Happy New Year.
