Fiscal Responsibility
The federal government has a responsibility to be a careful steward of taxpayer dollars. Decades of deficit spending have driven our national debt to unsustainable levels, and rising interest costs leave fewer resources available for infrastructure, health care, national defense, and other essential priorities.
Getting our fiscal house in order will require disciplined spending, stronger economic growth, and a serious effort to eliminate waste, fraud, improper payments, and duplicative or ineffective programs. Taxpayers deserve to know where their money is going and whether federal programs are delivering results.
We must also reform Washington’s broken budget and appropriations process. Too often, Congress waits until the last minute and relies on massive spending packages or temporary continuing resolutions instead of considering each of the 12 government funding bills individually. These stopgap measures perpetuate outdated spending priorities, create uncertainty for federal agencies, and make it harder to plan responsibly for the future.
They are especially damaging to our military, where unpredictable funding can delay modernization, disrupt training and maintenance, and undermine readiness.
Congress should return to regular order by moving funding bills through the committee process and bringing them to the House floor where Members can read, debate, amend, and vote on them. This transparency is essential to rooting out waste, setting responsible priorities, and restoring accountability to the federal budget process.
Members of Congress should also face consequences when they fail to complete this basic responsibility. Families and businesses are expected to meet their obligations and deadlines, and Congress should be held to the same standard.
Legislative Work
- Stay on Schedule (S.O.S.) Resolution (H.Res. 12): Would require the House to pass all 12 government funding bills by July 31 before adjourning for the August recess.
- No Budget, No Pay Act (H.R. 208): Would place Members’ salaries in escrow if their chamber fails to pass a budget by April 15, as required by statute.
- Inaction Has Consequences Act (H.R. 209): Would withhold Members’ salaries if Congress fails to pass all 12 government funding bills by the end of the fiscal year.
