NTU urges all Representatives to vote “NO” on the rule that includes H. Res. 467, a deeming resolution for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 budget. The deeming resolution would effectively set discretionary spending limits at $1.5 trillion for the fiscal year, according to House Budget Committee Chair John Yarmuth (D-KY). This level of spending is unacceptable given the record level of debt and deficits facing Congress and America’s taxpayers this year and in the years ahead. NTU urges lawmakers to work in a bipartisan manner to address wasteful or outdated spending on both the defense and non-defense sides of the ledger.
After spending trillions of dollars on COVID-19 relief and response legislation, federal taxpayers are responsible for more debt than they ever have been, north of $28 trillion. Record debt and deficit levels, along with the expiration of Budget Control Act caps that have been in place for a decade, underscore more than ever the need for Congress to meaningfully address and reduce discretionary spending. This includes both defense and non-defense discretionary spending, and both NTU and NTU Foundation (NTUF) have offered numerous blueprints that address both sides of the ledger.
The deeming resolution for the FY 2022 budget would not meaningfully address excessive spending, instead providing for $1.5 trillion in spending largely in line with the Biden administration’s budget request. NTU and NTUF have critiqued this budget request for lacking necessary reforms, including numerous tax hikes, and failing to reduce waste and misplaced priorities in the Department of Defense budget. Passing this deeming resolution would amount to the first step forward in passing the President’s budget, whereas Congress should be considering a budget resolution that provides for spending reductions in FY 2022.
We urge lawmakers to negotiate over discretionary spending levels that are more responsible for taxpayers and to consider a broader, bipartisan budget deal covering FYs 2022 and beyond. NTU recognizes this will require sacrifices from Members across the ideological spectrum, but we believe that Congress must take action and we stand ready to work with both Republicans and Democrats on budget and spending reform.
Roll call votes on the rule that includes H. Res. 467 will be included in NTU’s annual Rating of Congress and a “NO” vote will be considered the pro-taxpayer position.