From Paul Ryan: Line-item Veto Would Help Slash Wasteful Spending
Originally published in the Janesville Gazette, Congressman Paul Ryan talks about what he thinks is important bi-partisan legislation.
This op-ed was originally published in the Janesville Gazette:
In Wisconsin, congressional leaders have a long tradition of putting partisanship aside to solve problems. In recent years, I’ve upheld this tradition by teaming with Janesville native and former Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold to advance legislation providing the president with a line-item veto to cut wasteful spending from the federal government’s bloated budget.
It’s a straightforward concept that has received bipartisan support, and I was encouraged to introduce it again earlier this week with Maryland Rep. Chris Van Hollen, the ranking Democratic member on the House Budget Committee.
The fiscal and economic challenges facing our nation are immense. Our national debt recently surpassed $15 trillion. Massive spending increases—fueled by three years of deficits exceeding $1 trillion—have failed to reduce unemployment or create jobs. In addition to the alarming budget deficit and the painful jobs deficit, Washington’s failure to tackle these challenges has created a growing credibility deficit.
For years, policymakers from both political parties have failed to serve as responsible stewards of American families’ hard-earned tax dollars. Both parties have been part of the problem, and both will need to be part of the solution if we are going to give future generations a chance at prosperity. Leaders must deliver immediate and long-term solutions that create jobs and grow the economy, and those of us who serve in Congress must welcome any opportunity to advance common-sense solutions that get federal spending under control.
This effort, which I began with Sen. Feingold and am now continuing with Rep. Van Hollen, makes clear leaders can work together to address the problems that are adding to our debt.
The Expedited Line-Item Veto and Rescissions Act of 2011 is a simple, effective way to eliminate unnecessary spending items. This legislation gives the president a precise tool to go after wasteful spending, while also protecting Congress’ constitutional authority to make spending decisions. It would allow the president to identify specific spending items in a bill that he believes should be cut and require Congress to take an up-or-down vote on them. If Congress fails to overturn the president’s veto, all of the proposed spending would be put toward reducing our deficit.
This legislation requires the federal government to be accountable for what it spends, adding much-needed oversight and transparency to the budget process. The line-item veto builds on other deficit-reduction efforts passed by the House of Representatives this year, such as a permanent ban on earmarks and real caps on spending. Taken together, these steps are changing the culture of wasteful spending that has dominated Washington for far too long.
The Expedited Line Item Veto and Rescissions Act is just one step toward restraining spending over the long term, but it’s a critical one. I’m grateful for Rep. Van Hollen’s willingness to advance it. The bill makes clear that there’s no shortage of bipartisan reforms Congress can approve to show a renewed commitment to getting our economy growing while bringing fiscal responsibility back to Washington.
U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Janesville, serves Wisconsin’s 1st District. Contact him through his Janesville Constituent Services Center, 20 S. Main St., Suite 10, Janesville, WI 53545; his Washington, D.C., phone is (202) 225-3031.
Bren
10:05 pm on Saturday, December 3, 2011
Once again, Republicans talk the talk about restraining spending but walk the walk of borrow, spend, and betray middle income Americans. The sooner the U.S. citizens clean the Congressional House (and its 9% approval rating) of pandering opportunists like Paul Ryan, the process of expunging plutocratic inroads on our democracy can begin.
James R Hoffa
1:47 pm on Monday, December 5, 2011
@Bren –
Did you even read Ryan’s article? What exactly are your problems with what he has proposed here? Or is it that you’re such a partisan hack that you can’t even admit it when a Republican proposes something great and premised upon good old common sense, such as what Ryan has proposed here?
Seeing as how Ryan originally authored this legislation with Russ Feingold, I guess that your sentiments about Ryan would also be applicable to Russ, correct?
The more I learn I about Bren’s world, the less independent it looks and the more socialistic authoritative it begins to feel. And give it up with the whole “plutocracy” talking point already. It’s such a stupid conspiracy theory that makes absolutely no sense what-so-ever, as the poor and middle class will always outnumber the extremely wealthy and have the same voting rights in a system where majority rules. The Koch Bros’ votes count exactly the same as your vote or mine – 1 person, 1 vote.
So drop it already and start doing some real independent thinking for a change!
Bren
6:20 pm on Friday, December 9, 2011
Mr. Hoffa, the U.S. economy is in crisis because of egregious tax cuts for the wealthiest plus the invasion of Iraq (which was supposed to pay for itself, remember?). Add regulatory changes in the financial industry which again benefited the wealthiest, and outsourcing of hundreds of thousands of American jobs to Mexico and Asia. The pay-equality gap has been growing for 30 years, but has exploded in the past 10. What will help the U.S. economy is not line-item veto power and partisan Paul Ryan hunting out "waste." It is the rollback of the Bush-era tax cuts to Clinton-era levels (when millions of jobs were created), rollback of predatory financial practices, nomination of the proposed chief of the new federal consumer protection bureau (anti-usurious practices), investigation and prosecution of Wall Street marauders responsible for the global financial disaster, including restitution, incentivizing multi-ational corporations to bring jobs back to the U.S. (with family-sustaining wages), and the will and integrity in Congress to stand up to the blandishments of special interests (both parties).
I think Russ Feingold is a member of the old guard, those who put country first instead of special interests. Paul Ryan is a hypocrite who would do away with our Medicare while still holding onto his sweet pension.
Bren
6:54 pm on Friday, December 9, 2011
Concerning your comment about my "world" and how it "feels" "socialistic authoritative," what on earth does that even mean? And "feelings" are invalid in politics. Voting for someone because you think they seem like a nice person on the tv is naive. Ads are carefully crafted and focus-grouped to create that very impression (they could probably make John Bolton look friendly!). I highly recommend leaving touchy-feely for other arenas.
Yes, the Koch brothers have two votes. They also have wealth that rivals Warren Buffetts to invest in actualizing the wild-eyed far-right philosophies of their John Birch Society founding member dad Fred, as well as the tar-hearted radical ideas they've conjured up on their own. Ask yourself how it comes to be that the new Republican governors in Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, and Florida all have mirror agendas to attack public unions and voter rights. "Conspiracy" suggests clandestine meetings in dark alleys and turned-up raincoat collars. The Koch brothers' special brand of influence purchasing can be traced, even though their fake "news" sites and PACs conceal the names of donors.
The transfer of wealth to the richest in our country is factual and documented. Even on this website a recent article points out a 14+% income decrease in Greendale. Fortunately, more and more people are seeing the truth.
James R Hoffa
8:55 pm on Friday, December 9, 2011
@Bren -
Your attack of Ryan and praise of Feingold on the same policy matters is laughable and proves positive once and for all that you are no independent as you claim to be! In all reality, you are nothing but the partisan hack that I called you on long ago - just admit it already, as you have been exposed!
“Mr. Hoffa, the U.S. economy is in crisis because of egregious tax cuts for the wealthiest plus the invasion of Iraq (which was supposed to pay for itself, remember?).”
The U.S. economy is in trouble because of the out-of-control, irresponsible, and indifferent attitude towards spending our money that Washington has.
“Add regulatory changes in the financial industry which again benefited the wealthiest, and outsourcing of hundreds of thousands of American jobs to Mexico and Asia.”
Both of which were lovingly embraced and enacted by Democratic President Bill Clinton!
“The pay-equality gap has been growing for 30 years, but has exploded in the past 10.”
Artificially low interest rates are responsible for this, as I’ve pointed out time and again on other boards – not theft from the poor and the middle classes by the rich.
James R Hoffa
9:01 pm on Friday, December 9, 2011
“What will help the U.S. economy is not line-item veto power and partisan Paul Ryan hunting out "waste."”
He’s one of the only Congressional members crusading against shady governmental practices that you seem to support. So, what’s your answer to fix things Bren? Oh yeah, it’s all of the Rachel Maddow and Ed Schultz endorsed lefty talking points! Way to be independent there Bren!
As to your continued belief and perpetuation of the Koch Bros conspiracy theories, I give you your own words:
“… the U.S. is a democracy. I appreciate that some who snoozed during high school civics class have a hard time wrapping their heads around the different government systems.The important aspect of democracy is that the people decide what they want their country to be (ideally).”
So, if the country votes in favor of the Koch Bros' vision, then how is it a conspiracy theory exactly?
While you may favor a society that looks very much like the one portrayed in Terry Gilliam's Brazil (1985), unfortunately for you and fortunate for everyone else, there are very few fans of dystopia!
Once again Bren, I gottcha!
TOM
8:23 am on Monday, December 5, 2011
we need more paul ryans he will clean house of leeches and parasites on the democratic parasonic path of socialist leeching off the taxpayers!our goverment was set up to protect our shores from forign advisaries not to feed 3 and 4 generations of parasites and leeches on the goverment forign and domestic
Bren
6:52 pm on Friday, December 9, 2011
Hey Tom! Some of us taxpayers like Medicare, which Paul Ryan does not. When he retires, he'll be leeching off the taxpayers with his sweet Congressional pension and health care plan, too. I'm still waiting for him to renounce that fancy plan in favor of his Medicare voucher plan. All I hear is crickets.
The guy is a fan of author Ayn Rand, a flagrant adultress who came to the U.S. on a short-term visitor's visa and married an American for citizenship. Ayn wrote sophomoric utopian screeds between the 1930s and 1970s. Ayn Rand is required reading for everyone on Paul Ryan's staff. Since Paul doesn't have to worry about losing his sweet pension, he apparently feels free to indulge in Objectivist experiments with our civic investments.
James R Hoffa
8:36 pm on Friday, December 9, 2011
@Bren –
You really missed the boat on this one and are buying into what you’re reading over on the Daily Kos way too much!
Ryan wants to give Americans the same “sweet Congressional pension and health care plan,” that he has in order to save both systems. Maybe you should actually try reading Ryan’s plan instead of merely relying upon the biased left-wing pundits’ analysis of the plan. Whoa, there’s a thought from a true independent!
Once again, you need to try again Bren!
patchreader 123
6:55 pm on Friday, December 9, 2011
Bren:
Even Obama supports some form of line item veto.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/24/AR2010052403836.html
Regarding "rollback of predatory financial practices.....[and] Wall Street marauders responsible for the global financial disaster," you can thank the Clinton era for the passage of the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000 (CFMA), which officially ensured the deregulation of financial products known as over-the-counter derivatives. The Act It was signed into law on December 21, 2000 by President Bill Clinton.
While I agree with you that this country faces many problems, you implying that some of these problems are the fault of Ryan and/or Republicans (i.e., no "both parties" qualifier) is simply wrong.
patchreader 123
7:10 pm on Friday, December 9, 2011
Also, for the "outsourcing of hundreds of thousands of American jobs to Mexico," you can again thank Clinton (i.e., passage of NAFTA).
Again, I agree with you that the foregoing are problems that need to be addressed. However, erroneously implying blame for these problems is disingenuous.