(Alexandria, VA) – Hillary Clinton’s campaign website has no policy items outlined yet, and her term as Secretary of State has been the focal point of scrutiny, but her past in the Senate offers the best insight into her fiscal priorities … That’s why National Taxpayers Union Foundation (NTUF) today released data on the former Senator’s legislative agenda during her 8 years representing the state of New York.
NTUF’s analysis reveals Senator Clinton’s average legislative agenda would have increased federal spending by $226 billion per year, more than the average Democratic Senator during the time period.
Over the course of her Senate tenure, Clinton sponsored or cosponsored 802 bills to increase outlays compared to 12 that would cut spending – or $892 in new spending for each dollar in cuts.
“Since Hillary Clinton has yet to provide much detail on her platform, NTUF’s data can step in to provide insight into how she might budget,” said Director of Research Demian Brady. “Clinton’s propensity to spend without seeking off-setting cuts is clearly demonstrated in our research.”
Highlights from NTUF’s BillTally study on Hillary Clinton:
- In each Congress, Senator Clinton proposed far more new spending increases than decreases. On average, she supported $226.4 billion in new spending each year and $254 million in savings, for a net average of $226.1 billion in annual spending increase.
- On average, for each dollar to reduce spending, Clinton proposed $892 in new spending in each Congress.
- In the 107th Congress, Senator Clinton offered no savings proposals. The most she sponsored was five in the 109th Congress, for a total reduction of $381 million.
- With the exception of the 107th Congress, Senator Clinton tended to support a larger net agenda to increase spending than the average Democrat Senator.
- The most expensive bill she backed was S. 448 (108th Congress), the Leave No Child Behind Act of 2003, an omnibus bill pertaining to federal programs for children, including increases in spending on education, health care, paid leave, and child care. Annualized cost of $105.4 billion
- Clinton also sponsored S. 280 (110th Congress), the Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act of 2007, to establish a cap and trade system. Annualized cost of $53.3 billion.
- By far the largest savings proposal she supported was S 2260 (109th Congress), the Patients Before Profits Act of 2006, to repeal the Medicare Advantage Stabilization Fund. Annualized savings of $467 million.
In the coming weeks NTUF will be releasing data that can help to shed light on other candidates’ fiscal policies.
Brady concluded, “For anyone looking to thoroughly analyze Hillary’s public service record, NTUF’s BillTally data is a must-read. Her Senate spending trends offer key insight into how she would manage the federal budget.”
NTUF is the research affiliate of National Taxpayers Union, “The Voice of America’s Taxpayers.” More information is available at ntu.org/ntuf.