John Boozman Expresses Concerns of Washington Spending

Rep John Boozman (R-AR): It is clear that we are facing unprecedented challenges as a nation and there is uncertainty that we are working to resolve. I have read emails and letters that you send and understand you are worried. Among the themes of those letters is Washington spending. As Ed in Fort Smith wrote, “It appears that many in Congress are content to shell out billions of taxpayer's dollars, thinking that is the solution to our economic woes. Sadly, much of this is happening with no logical game plan and few details. If I did that in the business world, I'd probably get fired.” I agree with Ed. The spending legislation proposed, passed and signed into law in the 111th Congress are not good policies and that is why I voted against them.

I too had similar reservations about the $780 billion stimulus package that minimally addressed job creation, job protection and pension security but was full of pet projects and I still believe it was the wrong approach to help our economy recover. “[A] report by a group of economists including Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody's Economy.com, says the recently enacted $787 billion stimulus package will fall far short of the Obama administration's goal of saving or creating 3.5 million jobs.” (ABC News, 3/10/09)

We are experiencing an economic downturn that some say comes once in a lifetime, but we cannot spend our way out of this problem and create prosperity. Congress has approved $1.2 trillion between the Stimulus and the Omnibus. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-K) described the out of control spending at ‘$1 billion an hour’ (Congress at Work: ‘$1 billion an hour’, Politico, 3/11/09).

Washington needs to do what our families are forced to do, tighten the budget and make sacrifices. In an address to Congress in February, President Obama said “I want to pass a budget next year that ensures each dollar we spend reflects only our most important national priorities.” Two days later he introduced his budget proposal but unfortunately, it spends too much, borrows too much and taxes too much.

Out of control spending and higher taxes during a recession will only make matters worse. When President Herbert Hoover raised taxes during a recession it led to record unemployment and the Great Depression.

The good news is this is a proposal and just the first phase in the process. Ultimately it’s up to Congress to craft the budget. Please be assured that I will consider the amount of spending and the programs that are funded in the 2010 Fiscal Year.

Getting our economy on the road to recovery requires tax relief for working families and small businesses as well as fiscal responsibility in Washington. These are the basic principles that allowed our nation to prosper and they are the principles I will continue to fight for in Washington. We live in a great nation, and I am confident things will turn around. Irresponsible spending of taxpayer dollars is just not the way to get us there.

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