Blue Dogs advocate three years of spending cuts
By Humberto Sanchez CongressDaily March 12, 2010
Reps. Frank Kratovil of Maryland and Travis Childers of Mississippi are leading a group of Blue Dogs who plan to introduce legislation that would cut nonsecurity discretionary spending by 2 percent for each of the next three fiscal years and freeze spending levels for two years after that.
"Although cutting discretionary spending will no doubt mean making tough choices about where to tighten our belts, it is the common-sense way to focus on today's national priorities while preparing for the future. ... We must enact the policies necessary to rein in spending and build the foundation for a stronger, more stable economy," Kratovil said.
The Congressional Budget Office last week put the deficit for fiscal 2010 at $1.5 trillion -- 10.3 percent of GDP, a post-World War II record. The CBO analysis, which took into account President Obama's fiscal 2011 budget proposal, projected the 10-year at $9.8 trillion, compared with $8.5 trillion estimated by the White House.
"Our national debt and deficit have reached unsustainable levels and are continuing to grow," Childers said. He called cutting nonsecurity discretionary spending "a significant step toward balancing our budget and restoring fiscal responsibility."
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