U.S. Republican Congressman Scott DesJarlais, representing Tennessee’s Fourth Congressional District, this week rejected the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2019 and voted against the bill, according to a press release.
In a statement, DesJarlais said the following:
“The federal government’s first responsibility is national defense. The bill continues our country’s rebuilding of the military under President Trump, but like past agreements to lift budget caps, which successfully reduced federal spending levels, it incorporates the misguided notion that discretionary domestic spending must also rise. Since fiscal conservatives forced caps on reckless spending, Congress has found clever ways to avoid the restrictions.”
“In similar fashion, this deal grows deficits and debt. In this strong economy, because of tax cuts, now is the time to create a surplus and return more income to the American taxpayer,” he continued. “Cutting spending, and reforming wasteful government programs, would continue our economic progress. Deficits and debt are the biggest threat.”
As The Tennessee Star reported this week, U.S. Rep. Mark Green, a Republican congressman representing Tennessee’s Seventh Congressional District, weighed in on reports about a spending deal between the White House and Congressional leaders.
In a press release, Green made an analogy to which almost every American can relate.
“Imagine someone living far beyond their means. He receives a large income, yes, but he has a giant mortgage, a luxury vehicle, high-end clothing and expensive hobbies. His expenses far exceed his income. Year after year goes by, but he never changes his lifestyle. Debt piles up. Now he’s worried about missing payments on his bills. So, he looks for another loan. A normal bank would never loan this person more money. Would you?” Green asked.
“In this case, the bank is the American taxpayer. And the taxpayer is represented by Congress. And leaders in Congress are poised to loan this guy (the federal government) more money, rather than instruct him to adjust his lifestyle. The spending deal before us would continue Washington’s reckless spending with an unlimited line of credit. That means our children and grandchildren will pay for it. While I am glad our military receives a boost under this deal, and Fort Campbell would benefit, I cannot support this bill. We can—and must—do better.”
Green went on to say President Donald Trump has put forward a budget with “serious spending cuts.”
“Congress should start there instead,” Green said.
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Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Mark Green” by Mark Green.
