Yesterday's budget resolution is not the first assault on taxpayers. On the
first day of the 110th Congress, Democrats voted against a Republican
proposal to ensure a two-thirds vote is necessary to raise the family tax
burden. Once that was accomplished, the Democrats went on to impose more
than $6.5 billion in new taxes on American energy producers, which will lead
to higher gas prices and higher energy bills for consumers. They tied
critical funding for America's troops to billions in pork-spending --
including $25 million for spinach farmers and $75 million for peanut
storage. And they hid millions of dollars in earmarks in a giant spending
bill.
While Democrats approved the raid on taxpayers' wallets, House Republicans
have suggested Washington tighten its belt. We put forward a bold budget
proposal that balances the federal budget within five years without raising
taxes. Drafted by Rep. Paul Ryan (R., Wis.), our proposal includes critical
protections for Social Security and significant reforms aimed at stemming
the coming fiscal tsunami driven by explosive growth in entitlement spending
-- something Democrats completely ignore in their budget.
There is no question that we Republicans could have done a much better job
while we were in the majority. But last year we made a concerted effort to
recommit to fiscal discipline, approving lean spending bills and
implementing important reforms aimed at reducing the number of pork-barrel
projects. We clearly have more work to do. But the Democrats' budget takes
us two steps backward, and middle class families will be hardest hit.
To reach our goal of a balanced budget, we need to exercise fiscal
restraint, keep taxes low and promote economic growth. We need to reduce
earmarks, pass the line-item veto to crack down on worthless pork, and put
an end to the excessive waste, fraud and abuse within the federal
government. House Republicans have made this effort a top priority.
There are very real differences on Capitol Hill when it comes to fiscal
responsibility. Democrats think we can spend our way out of every problem;
Republicans will continue to work to help fiscal sanity triumph over fiscal
recklessness.