Congress Will Need to Make Tough Choices
This week, a bipartisan commission is scheduled to release its recommendations for balancing the budget by 2015. Congress should take a look at their recommendations and implement the best ideas.
The fact that a national commission is needed to curb spending is a sign of how far off track things are in Washington. Americans already elect a bipartisan commission every two years to make sure the budget is balanced - Congress. Republicans and Democrats have spent and spent, to the point where trillion dollar deficits are expected. It's not sustainable and it's not acceptable.
Americans are fed up with the spending and they sent a clear message to Washington earlier this month. I hope that both sides have heard the message. We have an opportunity in January to start the hard work of making choices together. Cutting spending is never popular, but it's the right thing to do for our country's future.
I am encouraged that people in Washington are now talking about decreasing spending and ways to save money. Just recently, the new House majority agreed to continue their moratorium on earmarks. It will not solve our overspending by itself, but it's a sign that politicians are finally getting the message.
I look forward to the Commission's recommendations, but it will be up to Congress to do the heavy lifting. These choices will have an impact on every community and state. That is why Congress, elected by the people, will need to make tough decisions.
Sincerely,
