Today, U.S. Representative Mike Conaway (R-TX) introduced the Savings in Appropriations Resolution in the House of Representatives. This resolution amends the rules of the House to allow Members of Congress to offer budget reducing amendments to general appropriations bills and, in turn, will reduce the deficit or increase the surplus.
“As Members of Congress, it is our responsibility to evaluate the spending process,” said Conaway. “This commonsense legislation will help ensure that taxpayer money is being spent wisely. If Congress considers a program or earmark in an appropriations bill unworthy of federal funding, those funds should not be spent and thereby used to reduce the deficit.”
Under current House Rules, Members of Congress cannot introduce an amendment to an appropriations bill with instructions to reduce funding for a program and redirect that funding to deficit reduction. Some Members of Congress are dissatisfied with the current process and are upset that successful efforts to eliminate funds for certain projects do not reduce the deficit, but result in that money being added for other programs. This legislation would give the Congress the flexibility to revisit decisions on the total amount of discretionary spending as each appropriations bill is debated on the House Floor.
“Congress should make responsible spending decisions and make reducing the deficit a top priority,” said Conaway. “This resolution puts a much needed tool in our hands.”
Original co-sponsors include: Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN), Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), Rep. John Shadegg (R-AZ), Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO), Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), Rep. John Campbell (R-CA), Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R-CO), Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) and Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-TX).
Rep. Conaway is a CPA and member of the House Budget Committee.
