As Congress considers appropriations bills for fiscal year (FY) 2014, the undersigned organizations strongly urge you not to exceed the overall spending level set forth by the Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA) and the House-passed budget.
As you know, the federal government is facing serious debt and deficit problems primarily caused by structurally unsound entitlement programs and a long history of reckless spending. The BCA represents a modest but still tangible step toward fiscal restraint. For FY2014, adherence to the law requires merely reducing total discretionary spending by 2 percent to a level of $967 billion. This is necessary both as a matter of sound policy, as well as to demonstrate to the American taxpayer an ongoing commitment to fiscal discipline.
Recently, President Obama issued a veto threat against appropriations bills as part of his efforts to “turn off” the sequester. This makes it even more vital for the House of Representatives to display leadership on this issue and pursue additional reductions in discretionary spending beyond what is required by current law. To this end, the many groups represented here have all offered numerous prudent suggestions.
Based on the House-approved allocation figures, four of the 12 appropriations bills are slated to increase spending above FY2013 levels. While it may make good sense to adjust the funding for several bills to address House priorities, it is imperative that the House reject any Senate plan to exceed the overall spending cap. Leaders in the Senate have already indicated that they will attempt to increase spending and ignore the sequester. Increased spending for certain appropriation bills in the House must not create a pathway to exceed BCA caps.
At a minimum, we hope you will work to limit total appropriations to BCA levels and reject attempts by President Obama and others to undo the relatively small, but important progress that has been made toward a less burdensome budget.
Sincerely, Brandon Arnold, VP Gov’t AffairsNational Taxpayers Union Phil Kerpen, PresidentAmerican Commitment James Valvo, Director of PolicyAmericans for Prosperity Grover Norquist, PresidentAmericans for Tax Reform John Tate, PresidentCampaign for Liberty Andrew F. Quinlan, PresidentCenter for Freedom and Prosperity Jonathan Bydlak, PresidentCoalition to Reduce Spending Mattie Duppler, Executive DirectorCost of Government Center Tom Schatz, PresidentCouncil for Citizens Against Government Waste Matt Kibbe, President and CEOFreedomWorks Seton Motley, PresidentLess Government David Williams, PresidentTaxpayers Protection Alliance