Budget and Spending

Families across the nation understand what it means to make tough choices each day about what they can and cannot afford. As a small business owner, Congressman Huizenga understands this principle is one of the most basic tenets of business as well. Elected officials should not be allowed to simply pass on making these tough decisions and should be held to the same standard as American taxpayers and small business job creators.

However, today our nation is in the red by more than $31,000,000,000,000 -  and yes, there are 12 zeroes in one trillion dollars. Our nation’s long-term deficit and current national debt level is both unfathomable and unsustainable.  We simply must change the trajectory of spending in Washington. In the short-term, Congress can begin immediately by enacting sensible cost-cutting measures and eliminating wasteful and duplicative federal programs.  In order to prevent crippling deficits and debt over the long-term, federal entitlement programs must be reformed in a way that protects current beneficiaries and allows current workers to enjoy a safe and stable retirement. We must restore fiscal sanity.

As a matter of principle, taxpayers have the right to a federal government that does not grow beyond their ability to pay for it and the right to expect a balanced federal budget. Additionally, Congress must create an atmosphere that fosters job growth. Simply put, the private sector, not the public sector, creates prosperity. We don’t need more government or a bigger one. We just need our government to focus on accountability, fiscal responsibility, and oversight.  A balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution would help achieve this objective and is something Congressman Huizenga strongly supports. 

Many states, including Michigan, require a balanced budget. There is no reason the federal government cannot achieve the same. This common-sense measure would force Congress to eliminate unnecessary and wasteful spending and make the decisions necessary to balance the budget and eliminate the federal deficit.