Cut, Cap and Balance
July 21, 2011
Dear Neighbor,
This week the House passed, with my support, the Cut, Cap and Balance Act of 2011. The bill cuts total spending by $111 billion in FY2012. The savings are divided as follows:
Of course there are certain, specific circumstances that would require a waiver of the balanced budget amendment. The bill does allow for a waiver of the amendment if a declaration of war against a nation-state is in effect. It also allows three-fifths of Congress to waive the amendment for expenditures related to a military conflict "that causes an imminent and serious threat to national security."
It is important to note that the Cut, Cap, and Balance Act of 2011 makes no changes to Medicare, Social Security or Veterans spending. The bill also provides for an increase in the debt ceiling of $2.4 trillion only if a balanced budget amendment passes Congress and is sent to the states for ratification.
If there is one clear message that is being sent to Congress by the American people, it is that we must get our fiscal house in order. Since 2008, non-defense discretionary spending has increased 84% (includes the failed stimulus bill, source: House Republican Budget Committee). We simply cannot afford to continue down the path of reckless spending with no accountability of how we plan to pay our bills. I do not support defaulting on our debt but any debt limit increase must be coupled with spending cuts and assurance that the U.S. will not be put in this position again.
Please take this week's survey on the Cut, Cap and Balance Act, I appreciate your input.
Sincerely,
KEN CALVERT
Member of Congress
This week the House passed, with my support, the Cut, Cap and Balance Act of 2011. The bill cuts total spending by $111 billion in FY2012. The savings are divided as follows:
- Reduces non-security discretionary spending below 2008 levels, which saves $76 billion.
- Makes $35 billion in cuts to non-veterans, non-Medicare, non-Social Security mandatory spending.
- Holds FY12 Defense Budget to the Republican Budget level of $530 billion.
Of course there are certain, specific circumstances that would require a waiver of the balanced budget amendment. The bill does allow for a waiver of the amendment if a declaration of war against a nation-state is in effect. It also allows three-fifths of Congress to waive the amendment for expenditures related to a military conflict "that causes an imminent and serious threat to national security."
It is important to note that the Cut, Cap, and Balance Act of 2011 makes no changes to Medicare, Social Security or Veterans spending. The bill also provides for an increase in the debt ceiling of $2.4 trillion only if a balanced budget amendment passes Congress and is sent to the states for ratification.
If there is one clear message that is being sent to Congress by the American people, it is that we must get our fiscal house in order. Since 2008, non-defense discretionary spending has increased 84% (includes the failed stimulus bill, source: House Republican Budget Committee). We simply cannot afford to continue down the path of reckless spending with no accountability of how we plan to pay our bills. I do not support defaulting on our debt but any debt limit increase must be coupled with spending cuts and assurance that the U.S. will not be put in this position again.
Please take this week's survey on the Cut, Cap and Balance Act, I appreciate your input.
Sincerely,
KEN CALVERT
Member of Congress