National Taxpayers Union (NTU) President Pete Sepp on Friday praised Congress and President Donald Trump following the signing of a landmark rescissions package that eliminates $9 billion in low-priority or wasteful federal spending.
The package marks just the second successful use of the Impoundment Control Act to rescind previously approved federal spending.
“It’s difficult to cut spending, but President Trump and congressional Republicans have proven it can be done. The sky isn’t falling, and indeed actions such as these will prevent the sky from falling. We should build on this momentum. With $37 trillion in national debt contributing to rising interest rates for American families and businesses, we have a long way to go.
We’re encouraged by signs that Congress—especially the House—has an appetite for leaner budgets. Republicans are proposing appropriations reductions across nearly every federal department, including Interior, Energy, and Education, with some proposals reaching as high as 22%.
It’s a positive step that Washington may spend less next year than this year. But, to make lasting progress, we must aim to stabilize the budget closer to pre-COVID spending levels. The real calamity isn’t cutting waste, it’s the debt crisis we risk if we don’t act.
We need a comprehensive approach to restoring fiscal health. That includes pro-growth tax cuts, deregulation, permanent limits on government growth, more aggressive spending clawbacks, and a return to much lower discretionary spending. These steps will buy time to address the real drivers of long-term deficits, our entitlement programs.
Taxpayers deserve to know their money is being spent in the most efficient, effective, and prudent manner possible. This rescissions package is a strong start in a race to fiscal responsibility that we must win. Let’s keep up the pace. NTU is willing and able to lend assistance all along the way.”
National Taxpayers Union is the Voice of America’s Taxpayers, advocating for limited taxes, spending, and regulation at the federal, state, and judicial levels across the country.