From Congressman John Ratcliffe
Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. -- As your Representative in Congress I never forget that every dollar the government spends first comes from hard-working citizens. With a national debt of over $18.2 trillion the federal government must be forced to live within its means. Ive been working tirelessly to bring fiscal sanity to Washington. I wanted to share my recent initiatives to help reduce the size of government and ensure your taxpayer dollars are not wasted.
Curb Fraud Waste and Abuse
Just this past week the U.S. House of Representatives passed my bill to help to curb fraud waste abuse and to increase transparency at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). H.R. 1637 The
Federally Funded Research and Development Sunshine Act of 2015 helps ensure that DHSs federally funded research and development centers do not waste taxpayer dollars. The legislation brings much needed oversight that will safeguard DHSs mission of protecting our homeland from being compromised by fiscally irresponsible practices.
Eliminate funding for a wasteful government program
Many concerned constituents on my last telephone town hall spoke specifically about how Washington continues to squeeze the middle class in Texas. I believe the only way to rein in the federal government is to reduce its size. A problem with the status quo in Washington is that somehow spending $100 one year and $102 the next year is considered a cut." We need to get rid of unnecessary programs altogether. Thats why I introduced an amendment to the Legislative Branch Appropriations bill which would eliminate all funding for the Open World Leadership Center a duplicative and wasteful program that has cost taxpayers millions of dollars since its inception. Im pleased the amendment passed the House.
Introduce a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
The federal government must live within its means. My balanced budget amendment to the Constitution will force Washington to stop the endless cycle of spending borrowing and taxing. Specifically this legislation requires that each year total spending does not exceed revenue and it caps federal spending at 18 percent of gross domestic product which is the historical average post World War II. It also institutes a no balanced budget no pay rule for members of Congress. Lastly it forces the president to submit a balanced budget to Congress each year a task our current president has never come even close to accomplishing.
We must act now to ensure that future generations are given a fair shot at the American Dream. You can count on me to continue leading the fight for more freedom and less government.
I am grateful for every day I get to represent you in the U.S. House of Representatives. If you have questions about upcoming legislation want further information and updates from my office or just would like to engage on social media be sure to click the badges below.
