(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Tom Schatz, president of the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW), issued a letter to members of the United States House of Representatives urging them to support the revised Budget Control Act of 2011.  CCAGW backed Speaker John Boehner’s (R-Ohio) original version of the act and supports its latest iteration, which would achieve spending cuts that exceed the debt limit increase, require a vote on a balanced budget amendment, and create a Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction.  The letter reads in part:

“The Budget Control Act sets discretionary spending caps that will reduce budget deficits by $917 billion over 10 years and allows for a subsequent $900 billion debt ceiling increase.  Following passage of this legislation, a joint committee will be formed to find an additional $1.2 trillion in savings.  If these recommendations are enacted by Congress or if a balanced budget amendment is passed, the President will be allowed to request another debt limit increase up to $1.5 trillion.  Should the joint committee’s recommendations be rejected or the balanced budget amendment fail to pass both chambers, $1.2 trillion will be automatically sequestered.  These automatic spending cuts will primarily reduce defense and Medicare spending, providing an added incentive for Congress to act. 

“CCAGW has consistently been and will continue to be a strong proponent of the Cut, Cap and Balance plan.  The Budget Control Act is not a perfect solution to the nation’s fiscal problems; however, CCAGW recognizes the limitations of attaining the objectives of Cut, Cap and Balance without the support of the Senate or the White House. 

“Members of Congress should review and utilize Prime Cuts as a roadmap to deficit reduction.  There is no shortage of places to cut wasteful, unnecessary and duplicative government spending; CAGW’s Prime Cuts 2011 provides 691 recommendations that would save taxpayers $391.9 billion in the first year and $1.8 trillion over five years. 

“The Budget Control Act is a step in the right direction that sets a strong precedent of making spending cuts that exceed debt limit increases and paves the way for more substantial reforms in the future.  All votes on this legislation will be among those considered in CCAGW’s 2011 Congressional Ratings.” 

The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) is the lobbying arm of Citizens Against Government Waste, the nation’s largest nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in government.