(Washington, D.C.)—The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) stands against the fiscal 2003 Omnibus Appropriations, Medicare, and Energy bills currently working their way through Congress.  After months of dragging their feet, the bi-partisan spending party in Congress hopes to pass these bills before Thanksgiving so they can adjourn for the year.  Each of the bills poses a grave financial threat to the nation and elevates the failure of the 108^th Congress to control wasteful spending to new levels.  CCAGW President Tom Schatz is available to comment on this defining moment of fiscal insanity in Washington.

The Medicare prescription drug bill is a $430 billion red herring that will only weaken Medicare for seniors.

The energy bill uses “national energy policy” as a cover for cushioning home-state interests and corporate hucksters with federal money.

The mammoth $280 billion Omnibus spending package is fattened with more pork every minute it sits on the negotiating table. 

Instead of recognizing the fiscal reality of a $480 billion deficit, Congress just wants to write more checks and pass the tab onto future generations.  Politicians are leaving taxpayers with little to be thankful for this holiday season.

With more than one million members and supporters, CCAGW is the nation’s largest taxpayer watchdog group.  CCAGW President Tom Schatz has appeared on national television and radio to discuss these issues.  To arrange an interview, contact Tom Finnigan at 202-467-5300. 

The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste 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.