The Republican budget for 2016 puts the U.S. on track to have a balanced budget in 10 years without imposing new tax hikes while strengthening the national defense, improving the economy, and providing opportunity for the nation's families, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Mike Enzi said in
Saturday's GOP address.
"It is time to begin this responsible accounting in Washington, because while you can lie about the numbers, the numbers never lie," the Wyoming Republican said about the budget. "The worst kept secret in America is: this administration is spending more than ever and taxing more than ever."
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Thursday night, Enzi's committee advanced the GOP plan in a 12-10 vote that fell along party lines, reports
The Hill, and both the House and Senate plan floor votes on their budget resolutions by the end of next week. If both chambers pass their budgets, Enzi hopes to hold a conference agreement by April 15.
Enzi said Saturday that during the past six years under the Obama administration, runaway spending is creating a "dangerously growing debt, because the habit of spending now and paying later is deeply ingrained."
Federal revenues are at record-high levels, he said, and the nation is on track to overspend "by nearly $1 trillion a year — to put that into perspective — that is $1,000 billion dollars."
Such overspending means more is being added to the debt for future generations, he continued, and with today's debt totaling more than $18 trillion, every American owes more than $56,000 on it. That number is projected to grow to more than $75,000 per person unless some changes are made.
"Every dollar spent on interest and our debt is another dollar we won't be able to use for government services for individuals in need, or another dollar that won’t be available for taxpayers for their own needs," said Enzi. "Washington must live within its means — just like every hardworking families do every day — and deliver a more effective and accountable government to the American people."
And a balanced budget, said Enzi, will allow Americans to spend more time on their businesses or jobs, instead of worrying about taxes, while allowing job creators the opportunity to expand the economy, he said.
"Most importantly, it means every American who wants to find a good-paying job and a fulfilling career has the opportunity to do just that," he concluded.
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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