June 1, 2012

U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Representative,

Yesterday, Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) introduced H.R. 5872, the Sequestration Transparency Act of 2012. On behalf of the more than one million members and supporters of the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW), I urge you to support this legislation.

Under the Budget Control Act, across-the-board spending cuts will be enforced on January 1, 2013, resulting in a 10 percent cut to the Department of Defense and an 8 percent cut to non-defense discretionary spending. In total, the triggered reduction in spending amounts to $1.2 trillion, however, it remains unclear exactly how the sequestration would affect individual agencies.

H.R. 5872 would require the president to submit to Congress by July 9, 2012 a detailed report containing estimates of the sequestration percentages and amounts necessary to meet the mandated reduction for each spending category. Additionally, the bill would require the report to include any other data or explanations that would enhance public understanding of the looming sequester and the actions that are to be taken under it.

It is essential that the president make his sequestration plans clear and transparent to Congress and the American people. I urge you to support the Sequestration Transparency Act. All votes on H.R. 5872 will be among those considered in CCAGW’s 2012 Congressional Ratings.

Sincerely,

Tom Schatz
President, CCAGW