I co-founded the Washington Waste Watchers, a Congressional working group to combat waste, fraud, and abuse in the federal government. In 2005 I was one of only two Members to receive a 100 percent rating and "Taxpayer Superhero" award from the Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) and I was named "Hero of the Taxpayer" four consecutive years by Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) for my efforts to cut government spending and prevent waste.

I came to Washington with my principles in tact to fight bloated irresponsible Washington spending. Is it so much to ask that lawmakers run America's budget in the same responsible manner that you run your family's budget?

• Largest Tax increase in history: On March 29, House Democrats passed the FY2008 Budget –which sanctions the largest tax increase in American history. The last time the Democrats controlled Congress, they imposed the largest tax increase in American history, and today they managed to top that dubious distinction. Though they get an ‘A’ for tax-and-spend consistency, they get an ‘F’ for fiscal responsibility.

   

• Turned back the clock on fiscal policies that have been hard at work for the American taxpayer, spurring significant economic growth, shrinking the federal deficit and yielding historically low unemployment numbers.
  
  
• The average Florida family will likely see a $3,039 tax increase.

   

• In 2007, Democrats attempted to spend over $996 billion dollars, which is 21 percent more than what the government spent in 2006 and over $70 billion more than what the President requested be spent. This massive growth of government’s budget far outpaces the family budget and Americans' ability to pay for their own government.

   

• So far this year, the Democrats have spent $63 billion dollars and the FY09 Budget as well as the appropriations bills have not even reached the House floor.

I am one of a few Members of Congress Who Supported Every 2007 Flake Amendment to Strike Wasteful Earmarks from Appropriations Bills

• I voted for all Flake amendments to limit pork spending through earmarks during the appropriations process.

   

• I am a co-sponsor on House Resolution 284 which would limit the number of earmarks that can be accepted.
  • If an earmark would directly benefit the chairman's district and is not directly related to the underlying bill it should not be included in the appropriations bill.

     

• I signed the Citizens Against Government Waste Earmark Reform Pledge to:
  • Fully disclose all earmarked funding or targeted tax benefit requests on my congressional website
  • Not request any earmarked funding or targeted tax benefit provision that does not serve a federal interest and/or have a federal nexus;
  • Not request any earmarked funding or targeted tax benefit provision that would be directed toward a specific private entity that was not requested by an agency; and
  • Support legislation that would end the linkage between campaign contributions and earmarks.

     

• I Pledge To:
  • Restore fiscal discipline and find innovative new ways to do MORE with LESS
  • Live up to our moral responsibility to save and secure Social Security for hard-working Americans and future generations
  • Balance the budget WITHOUT raising taxes
  • Create a common-sense tax code that is simple, fair and consistent

I introduced an alternate budget to the Democrats' budget.

• Some of the top priorities in the RSC budget would
  • Balance the budget by FY 2011
  • Proposes the elimination of over 150 federal programs
  • Includes pro-growth tax policy (guards against automatic tax increases)
  • Makes no changes to Social Security
  • Makes real reductions in discretionary spending
  • Increases defense spending to the President's FY 2007 request
  • Reduces foreign aid by $31 billion over five years
  • Repeals the federal gas tax in 2012
  • Increases veterans spending
  • Calls for earmark reform and a constitutional line-item veto

     

• I have signed and led the efforts on a letter to the President pledging to sustain any veto he issues of Democrat passed-spending bills that exceed the White House budget request

   

• In 2007 the Democrats passed the largest tax increase in history and authorized over $105 billion in new domestic spending before the appropriations bills even reached the floor.

   

• I am working hard to ensure that taxpayers are protected from the massive tax hikes that fuel the Democrats runaway spending.

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