U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci (R-OH) said on Tuesday that he is disappointed in the Obama administration’s 2017 budget request and plans to introduce a resolution that would hold members of Congress accountable for federal spending.
Renacci, a member of the House Budge Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee, said the administration’s proposed budget would increase federal spending by $2.5 trillion over the next 10 years. By 2022, interest payments on national debt would exceed the country’s national defense spending.
“With a national debt already exceeding $19 trillion — plus tens of trillion dollars of future unfunded liabilities — we need to get serious about our country’s fiscal future,” Renacci, a former certified public accountant, said. “We need to tackle our nation’s challenges by balancing the federal budget without accounting gimmicks or higher taxes so that we can save and strengthen vital programs.”
In addition to calling for a balanced budget, Renacci announced a forthcoming resolution that would hold lawmakers accountable for introducing bills that violate previously agreed to budget resolutions..
“While American families shoulder the responsibility of balancing their checkbooks and living within their means, Washington continues to spend money that it simply does not have,” Renacci said. “So, in the coming weeks, I plan to introduce a resolution which will put members on the record when legislation under consideration violates the budget. Congress must be held accountable to the budget, and this resolution is a good starting point to put us on the path to fiscal sustainability. I remain committed to these goals and will continue the fight to restore accountability and fiscal responsibility to Washington.”