Contact:
Neil Bradley (RSC) 202-226-9717 Matt Towson (Rep. Kirk) 847-940-0202
Elizabeth Wenk (Rep. Castle) 202-225-4165 Kate Dwyer (Rep. Ryan) 202-226-7326
Maureen Tell (Rep. Chocola) 202-225-3915 Mike Walz (Rep. Hensarling) 202-225-3484
Announce Consensus Principles to Reform the Budget Process
Rep. Sue Myrick (R-NC), Chairman of the Republican Study Committee (RSC) stated, “I particularly want to commend Representatives Ryan, Castle, Hensarling, Kirk, and Chocola for their hard work in finalizing these key principles. I believe this consensus document will provide a significant boost to the likelihood that the House will act this year to fundamentally reform the budget process and put a lid on spending.”
Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE), Co-Chairman of the Republican Tuesday Group, stated “The purpose of these principles, developed by moderates and conservative, is to generate discussion about reforms to return fiscal restraint to Washington, D.C. and reduce the deficit. We can all agree that there is no silver bullet, but rather than ignoring the spiraling deficit, we are working to trigger a dialogue on budget reform. If we are truly serious, everything must be on the table for discussion."
Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), a member of the RSC, stated, “Reaching this consensus lays the groundwork for fixing our badly broken budget process. We all agree the current system rewards pork and encourages overspending. Now we’ve agreed on principles that will help us reform the process, clean up the government’s books, and fight wasteful spending. This gives us our best chance so far of achieving real reform.”
Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX), a member of the RSC, stated, "Today, Republicans showed that we are united in effecting real change in Washington's wasteful spending habits. For decades the budget process has been designed to bypass spending rules and confuse the American taxpayer. The time has come for meaningful reform. By placing real limits on spending, giving the budget the force of law and by making the process more transparent to the public, we can send a clear message to American taxpayers that the family budget is no less important than the federal budget."
Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL), a member of the Republican Tuesday Group, stated, “Next year's budget must cut the deficit. It should also have new enforcement mechanisms -- like across the board spending cuts -- if spending threatens to exceed the budget passed by Congress."
Rep. Chris Chocola (R-IN), a member of the RSC, stated, "Every day, families and small businesses across America have to make tough decisions; they have to meet a payroll, live within a budget, and eliminate wasteful spending. The federal government should not operate any differently and that is why I am proud to stand behind these principles, which will introduce a framework of discipline and rational thought into the often times illogical debate."