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“We Have a Spending Problem” – AFP Launches Major Campaign Against Wasteful Government Spending

May 23, 2018 by AFP

First phase will target Republicans and Democrats on spending records over Memorial Day recess

Tallahassee, FL – Americans for Prosperity (AFP) today announced the start of a major campaign that will hold Republicans and Democrats accountable for their records on wasteful spending and thank champions who have stood up for taxpayers. AFP has targeted three Florida Representatives Tom Rooney, Debbie Wassermann-Schultz and Stephanie Murphy.

As the nation’s leading grassroots advocate for economic freedom, AFP’s Stop Overspending, or S.O.S. campaign, will kick off during the Memorial Day congressional recess with a significant six-figure radio, print, digital and direct mail effort targeting House lawmakers on spending – specifically their support for the $1.3 trillion March omnibus package – while they are home in their districts. The first wave of this campaign will also include ads thanking lawmakers from both sides of the aisle who opposed the package because of its reckless spending.

View examples of the accountability mail here

View examples of print ads here

View example of radio ad here

 

The effort will feature a video and website, www.StopOverspending.com, educating the American people about the importance of reducing excessive and out-of-control federal spending and urging them to tell lawmakers to control Washington’s spending addiction.

AFP-FL State Director Chris Hudson issued the following statement:

“Representatives Rooney, Murphy and Wasserman Schultz have touted the need for reining in our enormous deficits, but their vote for this enormous spending bill showed their calls for fiscal prudence were really a façade. Our country faces a large and growing fiscal problem, but this does not mean lawmakers should try to spend its way out of Washington’s dysfunction. We urge Floridians to contact Representatives Rooney, Murphy and Wasserman Schultz and tell them to be better stewards of our taxpayer dollars and end the empty promises of restoring fiscal sanity in Washington.”

Background:

The recent $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill pushed total Washington spending above $4 trillion for the first time and failed to make any reforms to entitlement programs, which are the major drivers of the national debt. While tax reform was a win for hard-working Americans, AFP has long-advocated the importance of pairing tax cuts with spending restraint to grow the economy and improve the lives of all Americans.

Fiscal year 2019 spending legislation, which will be considered later this year, will be the last chance for members of Congress to prove before the midterm elections that they can be trusted stewards of taxpayer dollars. AFP views the Fall spending debate as a critical test for lawmakers and will be engaging grassroots activists throughout the summer to hold both parties accountable for reckless spending and stress the importance of getting spending under control.

President Trump has also expressed his disapproval with the spending in the omnibus bill and said at the bill signing,  “I will never sign another bill like this again.”

In recent weeks, AFP has fought major boondoggles like the 2018 Farm Bill and called on lawmakers to repeal some omnibus bill spending by supporting President Trump’s rescission plan.

Both Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Stephanie Murphy have been outspoken advocates for fiscal responsibility, yet failed to live up to their calls for fiscal prudence.

 

Rep. Murphy, While Touting Her Membership In The Fiscally-Responsible Blue Dog Coalition, Introduced A Balanced Budget Amendment In 2017. “U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy of Winter Park, Fla., today introduced a balanced budget amendment that would amend the U.S. Constitution to prohibit the federal government from spending more than it receives in any given fiscal year, except in the cases of war or recession. Murphy’s amendment also generally prohibits a court from enforcing this requirement by ordering cuts to Social Security or Medicare payments. Murphy, who is a member of the fiscally-responsible Democratic Blue Dog Coalition, is the only House Democrat to introduce a balanced budget amendment so far this Congress.” (Press Release, “Rep. Murphy Introduces Balanced Budget Amendment,” Rep. Stephanie Murphy, 6/29/17)

 

  • Rep. Murphy: “Our National Debt Is Skyrocketing, And We Are Irresponsibly Passing This Burden On To Our Children And Grandchildren—Shackling Them With Unsustainable Debt.” “‘Our national debt is skyrocketing, and we are irresponsibly passing this burden on to our children and grandchildren—shackling them with unsustainable debt,’ said Murphy. ‘Just as every family and small business is expected to balance their budget, so should the federal government. The only way to force Congress’ hand is to amend the U.S. Constitution to require Congress to pass a balanced budget each and every year. My balanced budget amendment will compel Congress to walk the walk, not just talk the talk, when it comes to being a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars.’” (Press Release, “Rep. Murphy Introduces Balanced Budget Amendment,” Rep. Stephanie Murphy, 6/29/17)

 

Rep. Murphy In 2016: “When I Take Office On January 3, I Want To Hit The Ground Running To Help Strengthen Our Economy, Keep Our Nation Safe, And Bring Fiscal Discipline Back To Congress.” “‘When I take office on January 3, I want to hit the ground running to help strengthen our economy, keep our nation safe, and bring fiscal discipline back to Congress,’ said Murphy. ‘I campaigned on a new approach – on working with both Democrats and Republicans to get things done. Both the New Dems and the Blue Dogs have strong reputations for reaching across the aisle and putting good public policy over partisan politics. That’s exactly what I’ll do in Congress.’” (Press Release, “NEWS: Stephanie Murphy Joins New Democrat Coalition & Blue Dog Coalition,” Stephanie Murphy For Congress, 12/21/16)

 

Rep. Wasserman Schultz In 2016: “With Prudence And Fiscal Responsibility, We Must Provide The Legislative Branch With The Resources We Need To Do Our Jobs Of Representing Our Constituents And Making Legislative Decisions On Their Behalf.” “With prudence and fiscal responsibility, we must provide the legislative branch with the resources we need to do our jobs of representing our constituents and making legislative decisions on their behalf. This is no place for political games.” (Press Release, “Wasserman Schultz Statement On 2017 Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill,” U.S. House Of Representatives Committee On Appropriations – Democrats, 4/21/17)

 

Rep. Wasserman Schultz In 2010: “The Bush Administration Left Us With Enormous Deficits. We Are Now Passing The Necessary Legislation To Get Our Economy Back On Track And Restore A Sense Of Fiscal Responsibility.” “‘The Bush administration left us with enormous deficits. We are now passing the necessary legislation to get our economy back on track and restore a sense of fiscal responsibility,’ said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. ‘To rebuild our economy substantially and for the long-term, House Democrats know that jobs and deficit reduction need to be a top priority. We increased jobs and reduced the deficit under President Clinton, and I know we can do it again under President Obama.’” (Press Release, “Rep. Wasserman Schultz Votes To Restore Fiscal Discipline (PAYGO),” Rep. Wasserman Schultz, 2/5/10)

 

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