JOHN CARTER

In 1938, Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered one of America’s first nation-wide radio addresses. In that historic address he said, “The only sure bulwark of continuing liberty is a government strong enough to protect the interests of the people, and a people strong enough and well enough informed to maintain its sovereign control over the government.” These words of our past should serve as a reminder to every member of Congress. Our primary goal is to protect the interests of the American people, and keep them informed about where and how their tax dollars are being spent.

Last November, the American people sent a clear message to members of Congress. You want an honest, open government that isn’t spending your tax dollars, through earmarks for secret projects, anonymously buried in lengthy legislation and hidden from the public. The American people deserve transparency in spending, and that means transparency across the board.

We can look to Congressman Charlie Rangel, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, for a perfect example of why we need earmark reform in government bills. He earmarked $2 million for the “Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service at the City College of New York. The center is seeking donations through a ‘20-page glossy brochure’ to restore a ‘magnificent Harlem limestone townhouse’ that will provide a ‘well-furnished office for Congressman Rangel.’” (OpinionJournal’s Political Diary, 7/20/07).

And let’s not stop there. Congressman Paul Kanjorski is under fire for steering $9.25 million in tax dollars to a company owned by his family. According to one leading Washington newspaper, the company, Cornerstone Technologies, ‘was formed by his nephew, Peter Kanjorski, and a scientist Bruce Conrad, who were joined in the company by four of the congressman’s other nephews and his daughters…[S]eparate from House rules, federal law prohibits members of Congress from contracting with the federal government.’ (Politico, 9/5/07)

We all remember the news reports concerning the “Bridge to Nowhere”. To address these loopholes, Republicans reformed the earmark process, requiring full transparency and the ability to challenge earmarks in all types of bills. Unfortunately, the Democrats chose to roll back these reforms at the beginning of this Congress.

Time after time, Washington liberals continue to show they are more concerned with funding their own private interests secretly than living up to the promises they made about open government at the beginning of this Congress.

In June, I joined my conservative colleagues to introduce a resolution, H.Res. 479, that would fully restore the reforms implemented by Republicans in 2006. But so far, Democrat leaders refuse to put the resolution to a vote.

That is why we began a legislative procedure, known as a discharge petition, that would override Democratic Leadership and bring this earmark reform legislation to the House Floor. I am seeking to close all loopholes that allow the current system to remain broken. If a member of Congress is willing to spend your hard-earned money on a project, they have an obligation to stand by that project and explain its value and purpose.

The American people need someone to stand up for them, and it is clear that the new Majority in Congress isn’t willing to give up their hidden handouts and do the right thing by reforming and making the earmark process honest. I have signed this petition to prove to the people of Central Texas that I will fight relentlessly to give them the open, honest government that was promised at the beginning of this Congress. I hope that my fiscally conservative colleagues from both political parties will join me and sign this discharge petition, showing the American people we will not stand for the continued fleecing of this nation.

One of Congress’ most fundamental duties each year is to ensure that the federal government is properly funded and performing to expectation. Just like any business, this involves an annual budget, priorities and expenditures. This process begins on the first Monday in February when the President submits his annual budget for the coming fiscal year. After submittal, Congress reviews the President’s priorities and amends the budget as deemed necessary in order to properly fund programs while, hopefully, reducing wasteful spending.

This past week, President Bush submitted his Fiscal Year 2008 budget which begins funding the federal government on October 1st, 2007. Although the budget is a sizeable document, funding everything from agriculture to veterans’ affairs, I look forward to working with my colleagues to review the priorities laid therein. As a fiscal conservative, I am ever mindful that, like Central Texas families, some things in the budget are needs, while others are wants. Congress must be vigilant in determining the difference and willing to reducing frivolous spending in an effort to protect our long-term fiscal security.

I am pleased that the President has focused on a plan that will lay the groundwork for a balanced budget by 2012 – without raising new taxes. Pro-growth policies initiated by the President and the former Republican-controlled Congress are responsible for the creation of over 7 million new jobs, boosted federal revenues, and a falling federal deficit. Now is not the time for tax increases which will depress the current progress made and put us back onto the road of fiscal irresponsibility.

Another key element to maintaining a healthy federal budget will be reforming the runaway entitlement system in America. We must take immediate and substantive steps to begin addressing our nation’s largest and least sustainable entitlement programs. As the “Baby Boom” population ages, Social Security, Medicare, and welfare threaten to consume larger and larger portions of the budget. Reforming these programs is essential to ensure that we meet our commitments to beneficiaries. Entitlements currently consume more than half of the budget, and are projected to grow by 6 percent per year – faster than our economy. At this rate, by 2040, these programs will cost as much as the entire government costs now. Congress cannot afford to shy away from the challenge of entitlement reform, but must quickly address this pressing issue.

Another step in the right direction will be for Congress to improve the budget process. Tools that facilitate transparency, accountability, and self-control are vitally important if elected officials wish to have the confidence of those whom they represent. This responsibility ultimately lies with Congress who in the Constitution is granted the “power of the purse.”

In the coming weeks, I look forward to discussing the President’s budget and working to reduce and prioritize the government’s spending. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I will continue to look for ways to reduce frivolous spending and governmental waste, while prioritizing those things which produce national and economic security. These priorities should also move us in the direction of fiscal responsibility by forcing Congress to function like a Central Texas family – with a balanced checkbook.