Kinzinger sponsors bipartisan bill aimed at getting national debt under control

U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) on April 16 sponsored a bipartisan resolution that would establish a bipartisan, bicameral National Committee on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform tasked with reducing the federal deficit over a 10-year period by $3.25 trillion.

“Enacting this commonsense legislation will ensure that we can save vital safety programs like Social Security for generations to come,” Rep. Kinzinger said. “I look forward to working on getting our debt under control.”

The joint committee established under the National Committee on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform Act of 2021, House Joint Resolution (H.J.Res.) 41, which Rep. Kinzinger introduced with cosponsor U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN), would be evenly split between Republicans and Democrats and would be required to issue a report on how to achieve the nation’s fiscal health. 

“Over the past year facing a global pandemic, Congress has had to act and provide relief for the American people. This relief came with a hefty price tag, which has since grown the federal deficit at an alarming rate,” said Rep. Kinzinger. “As we emerge from the hardships of the coronavirus, we must take a look at the state of our economy — and take a responsible and bipartisan approach to reduce spending and reinstate fiscal responsibility in Congress.”

The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget endorsed the resolution. “Once the pandemic recedes and the economy recovers, Congress and the president will have to pivot to reining in record levels of debt,” said Maya MacGuineas, committee president. “We commend Representatives Kinzinger and Phillips for demonstrating leadership on this issue. We appreciate this practical legislation to advance bipartisan solutions to our national challenges.”