Two freshmen congressmen, Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R.-Tenn.) and Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R.-Tex.), sent a letter to their colleagues urging them to emulate several states across the country that have used spending cuts to get a handle on their deficits.
Here's the text of the letter:
Dear Colleague:
The current projected deficit for the Federal government is expected to reach between $471 and $521 billion this year.
States across the nation have faced similar budget constraints and many have turned to spending reductions as a solution rather than tax increases. Last year in Tennessee, the Governor implemented a nine percent across-the-board cut to discretionary spending to bring the spending under control. Other states are also using across-the-board reductions to address our of control spending and budget deficits.
In all, twenty-six states last year chose fiscal restraint over increased taxation and unchecked spending. They replaced billions of dollars of deficit projections with spending cuts and today it??¢â???¬â???¢s time for the Federal government to follow the states.
Across-the-board spending cuts effectively control the growth and cost of the federal government. They allow agencies the flexibility to determine which expenses are necessary and which are not. And every American knows there are government expenses which are absolutely not necessary.
As Congress continues to find ways to eliminate waste and modernize government, we can start by taking a stand for fiscal responsibility and approve an across-the-board spending cut.
Please join us in putting America securely on track toward a balanced budget. If you would like to cosponsor any or all of our three across-the-board spending cuts at rates of one percent, two percent or five percent on non-defense and non-homeland security discretionary expenditures, please contact [our offices].
Sincerely,
Marsha Blackburn
Member of Congress
Jeb Hensarling
Member of Congress
