January 26, 2012

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

Dear Representative,

Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.) recently introduced H.R. 3778, the Budget Before Borrowing Act, which would prohibit the nation’s debt ceiling from being raised until Congress passes a budget resolution. 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.

Congress is statutorily obligated to pass a budget by October 1 of each year. January 24, 2012 marked the 1,000 day since the Senate last passed a budget. During this protracted period of indolence, the Senate Budget Committee has spent more than $12 million in taxpayer funds on staff salaries and other extraneous expenses, Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-Nev.) office has spent in excess of $5 million, and the nation’s debt ceiling has been increased three times.

It is unfortunate that legislation is necessary to motivate lawmakers to just do their job and carry out basic responsibilities. H.R. 3778 would prevent the debt limit from being raised unless Congress first passes a budget resolution, and this requirement could only be waived with a two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate.

The Senate has a moral and fiscal responsibility to Americans that it has been shirking. Congress cannot continue to spend taxpayer dollars without setting finite fiscal priorities. I urge you to support Rep. Lamborn’s legislation. All votes on H.R. 3778 will be among those considered in CCAGW’s 2011 Congressional Ratings.

Sincerely,

Tom Schatz
President, CCAGW