Recession, War, and Still Congress Ratchets up Outlays

“Both Parties are Increasing the Deficit,” says Schatz

(Washington, D.C.) – Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) today chastised congressional appropriators for disregarding the President’s budget requests for the 13 fiscal 2003 spending bills and for adding billions of additional dollars despite the recession and war on terror.  

“The president’s budget, submitted to Congress in January, outlined generous spending increases in defense, homeland security, education, and agriculture,” CAGW President Tom Schatz said.  “But it also included cuts and reforms in wasteful programs and agencies so as to maintain a semblance of fiscal discipline.  Appropriators have no such restraint, and are overspending the president in virtually every category.  The president should veto all of these bills.” 

“Amazingly, as the war on terrorism continue and the President considers a pre-emptive attack on Iraq that might cost $20 billion a year, appropriators are doing nothing to move funds to such high priority areas,” Schatz continued.  “In fact, the one bill where the appropriators did make cuts is defense.  But they know full well those defense funds will be restored in conference, as they cynically play games to ensure maximum new spending levels across the board.  Taxpayers will not look kindly on parties associated with such shenanigans come November.” 

“Appropriations Committee Chairman Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) has pushed through bills that are $19 billion over the President’s request, and his House counterpart, Rep. Bill Young (R-Fla.), is fighting a losing battle against a bipartisan spending spree on his committee.  Since they have no control, the President will have to step in,” Schatz concluded. 

Citizens Against Government Waste is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, mismanagement and abuse in government.