The Honorable John Ensign
United States Senate
119 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Ensign:
On behalf of the 362,000 members of the National Taxpayers Union (NTU), I write in support of S. 2965, your Commission for Fiscal Sustainability Act. This bill would establish a bipartisan, bicameral commission with the sole focus of looking for ways to reduce wasteful, low-priority, and unsustainable government spending.
The Commission would be comprised of 16 members appointed by the Senate Majority and Minority Leaders, along with the House Minority Leader and the Speaker of the House. The legislation would require at least eight of 16 members to pass recommendations, and these recommendations must be submitted to Congress no later than September 15, 2010.
It is absolutely imperative that we rein in the unbridled spending habits of the current Congress. This Commission would make a concerted effort to face, head-on, the debt we have heaped upon our children and grandchildren, as it directs Members of Congress to act NOW to reduce the record deficit. S. 2965 differs from other budget-process proposals for two primary reasons: the legislation contains extensive “sunshine” provisions to make all recommendations, debates, and votes available to the public; and, it specifically prohibits the Commission from recommending tax increases. This degree of transparency and fiscal accountability is what sets your legislation apart.
NTU strongly endorses S. 2965 and its goal of finally addressing rampant federal overspending to ensure long-term economic stability. Any roll call votes on this bill will be significantly weighted in our annual Rating of Congress.
Sincerely,
Jordan Forbes
Federal Government Affairs Manager