***This is the fifth of several communications to the Senate NTU intends to make during the course of the budget debate***
As the Senate considers S. Con. Res. 8, the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2014, NTU urges all Senators to vote as follows:
“YES” on Sen. Johnson (R-WI) Entitlement Solvency Point of Order Amendment: This amendment would create a point of order against budget resolutions that do not assume the 75-year solvency of Social Security and Medicare. Given the precarious fiscal outlook for these entitlements and our increasing debt, it is essential that Congress include serious entitlement reform in any budget rather than continuing to postpone these tough decisions.
“YES” on Sen. Johnson (R-WI) Balanced Budget Point of Order Amendment: This amendment would create a point of order against a budget resolution that does not achieve a unified budget surplus after 2022. A balanced budget is the key to long-term fiscal security. With a national debt topping $16 trillion, we can’t afford to continue the reckless spending that is dragging down our economy.
“YES” on Sens. Johnson (R-WI), Hatch (R-UT), Kirk (R-IL), and Vitter (R-LA) Bailouts Amendment: This amendment would prohibit the bailout of state or local governments that are defaulting on their debts. The mismanagement of public funds at the state or local level, particularly as it relates to pensions, shouldn’t put taxpayers in other jurisdictions on the hook for a costly federal bailout.
“YES” on Sen. Rubio (R-FL) Middle-Income Tax Hike Point of Order Amendment: This amendment would create a point of order against budget resolutions that increase taxes on individuals earning $400,000 or less or joint filers earning $450,000 or less, protecting already strapped taxpayers from federal cash-grabs to fund increasing spending.
“YES” on Sen. Rubio (R-FL) Spending Offset Point of Order Amendment: This amendment would create a point of order against new federal spending that is not offset by equivalent cuts. Despite recent significant tax increases, the federal government is still anticipating enormous shortfalls as the year progresses – illustrating all too well that Congress has a spending problem, not a revenue problem.
Roll call votes on the above amendments to S. Con. Res. 8 will be included in our annual Rating of Congress.
If you have any questions, please contact NTU Federal Affairs Manager Nan Swift at (703) 683-5700******************************