Posted on 07/19/2022 7:51:12 AM PDT by RandFan
Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN), a businessman frustrated with Washington’s wasteful spending, introduced a Tuesday plan to bring the federal budget into balance over 10 years, what he considers an easy “chip shot” but one he expects to face stiff liberal opposition.
In an interview, the Republican told Secrets that his plan wouldn’t cut defense spending, Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security, and it would keep in place the 2017 Trump tax cuts.
It would target wasteful spending, programs that should have ended but have been allowed to continue, and tap unspent COVID-19 relief funds.
After 10 years, the budget would be in balance and the only pressure would be the interest on the federal debt.
“It’s getting to where we are not adding, and in year 10, we have a small surplus,” said the senator, one of a handful who regularly focuses on the budget.
Braun said his plan takes some pages from a previous blueprint pushed forward by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), which won 35 votes. That plan took six years to balance the budget.
“This budget balances, cuts $2 trillion in taxes over 10 years, and implements reforms that will turn our country back toward the values and principles that have made us the freest and most prosperous nation in history,” said Adam Brandon, the president of FreedomWorks.
“His plan would balance the budget and limit spending to GDP growth, a policy that would encourage lawmakers to focus on pro-growth policies like extending the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Braun’s budget also makes important reforms to strengthen budget enforcement and improve scorekeeping at the Congressional Budget Office,” said the National Taxpayers Union.
Under Senate rules, any member can introduce budgets once top committees fail to file budget plans. He is hopeful for a Senate vote this week.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonexaminer.com ...
Braun will be labeled a terrorist by the thought police
“Bringing it into balance in 10 years” is NOT bringing it into balance.
There will always be a new war, a new pandemic, a new crisis of some kind to justify keeping Fed.gov fat and growing.
The ‘Penny Plan’ would be faster, better, and quantified NOW instead of expecting results in 10 years.
You reduce EVERY budget by 1 penny out of a dollar (1% for those of you who live in Rio Linda)
I cannot think of one single department that can’t cut 1% waste. I would love to see a 10% cut, across the board. But I’d be happy with 1% (rather than an automatic increase of 7%)
Do they even do budgets anymore? How do you balance a budget when you run on ‘continuing resolutions’ every year?
Some Freepers refer to it as “Fedzilla”. I love that term but never heard it anywhere else outside of here....
Unfortunately Braun is owned by Big Pharma.
The point about continuing resolution is a good one.
If (when) GOP wins control there is going to be intra-party battles over this, right? And I think reformers may have the numbers to stop it.
Its been done for like 20 years now under both parties.
I think I first heard the term from Ted Nugent. LOL.
Brandon wanted $33 billion for Ukraine, and congress gave him $40 billion. A good portion of that isn't leaving the USA - its for Fed.gov agencies to manage "programs" for anything and everything that may touch Ukraine. I believe there was a similar bill recently for DoD and intelligence, where Congress gave MORE than was being asked for.
I think we've moved beyond mere budgets. The deep-state just tells congress what it wants, and its cronies just grab even more from the cookie jar.
Nobody thinks they will be in office when it’s time for trials and hangings.
Far-right Christian Natiionalist!
First thing I would do is remove all open positions in government that have been funded. Second thing I would do is hold all companies with government contracts accountable for completing projects on time and on budget. Following that, eliminate all redundant departments followed by eliminating foreign aid to countries where human rights issues exist.
Federally funded social programs should move to the private sectors. And finish the wall.
That would take care of most of our spending issues.
What about wasteful military spending? Wasteful spending has two negatives. First, it costs taxpayers. Second, every dollar wasted distracts on the military’s mission.
Braun, while not perfect, has been pretty solid. Indiana’s other Senator, Todd Young - not so much.
Supposing that Braun is owned by Big Pharma, does that mean we shouldn’t work on balancing our budget? I’m not sure why anyone would be opposed to that, other than Democrats.
There isn’t a single department in federal government that shouldn’t have their budget cut and/or eliminated.
Good, bad or indifferent this is all a meaningless exercise. Anything Braun proposes is dead on arrival in a House controlled by Speaker Pelosi. If Republicans regain the House in January, he can introduce it then. But even then it will never be signed by a democrat President.
The goal right now should be to try to stop things getting even worse. Things aren’t going to get better for a while.
“In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.”
- Eisenhower’s Farewell Address
I agree.
But Mike Braun did changed his vote on J6 after the non-insurrection.
I would like to know why.
“but one he expects to face stiff liberal opposition.”
Don’t overlook Republican opposition.
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