House Freedom Caucus members Mark Meadows (R-NC), Jody Hice (R-GA) and Warren Davidson (R-OH) published an op/ed in the USA Today this week stating their staunch opposition to the debt limit suspension and spending increase legislation that was approved in Congress on Thursday.
“When Congress instituted the debt ceiling, it attempted to provide legislative control of how much money the federal government may borrow. For the Treasury to go past its credit limit, it would have to go through Congress. The policy was designed to set an impediment against out-of-control Washington spending — capping spending at best, or forcing Congress to reckon with reckless budgetary habits at worst,” they wrote.
“But so often in Washington, D.C., rules aren’t treated as rules. They’re regarded as inconveniences; small speed-bumps along the status-quo path of a system that brushes aside promises, benefits politicians, and enriches political insiders — all at the expense of hardworking moms and dads on Main Street,” they added.
The legislation ultimately passed by a 284-149 vote on Thursday, establishing a massive budget of $1.37 trillion for the next year. An incredible $738 billion will be earmarked for defense spending while a crushing $632 billion will be earmarked for nondefense spending.
Of course, this is being portrayed as a bipartisan victory by Republican and Democratic leadership. Most shameful of all is President Donald Trump joining the establishment cherade, cheering on the legislation as if it was some sort of a win for the American people.
“Considering the circumstances of divided government, this is a good deal,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said.
“We are pleased that our increase in non-defense budget actually exceeds the parity number on defense by $10 billion over the next two years,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said.
“And we’re pleased to be able to say that we have secured an increase of more than $100 billion in the budget cap for domestic priorities since the President took office,” she added.
“It’s not a perfect deal by any means. However, it will allow for major, long-overdue investments in domestic priorities,” said the Congressional Progressive Caucus, who were also happy about the bill’s passage.
I am pleased to announce the House has passed our budget deal 284-149. Great for our Military and our Vets. A big thank you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 25, 2019
The Freedom Caucus is not willing to accept the lip service from leadership, believing that it is wholly unacceptable to sell out future generations to continue the unsustainable Washington D.C. spending binge.
#budget2019 DC Debt Addicts win! BAD Budget deal passes House. Socialist Dems FOR 219 to 16. Republicans OPPOSE 132 to 65.
$2+ TRILLION more USA debt over 2 years. USA debt service cost UP $40+ billion/year FOREVER.
Tax-paying Americans = BIG LOSERS!
MoB
— Mo Brooks (@RepMoBrooks) July 25, 2019
We’re almost $23trillion in debt, & the latest bipartisan #budgetdeal would continue to push us further down the dangerous & unsustainable path we’re on. We can’t keep making excuses while we pass this debt on to our children, recklessly throwing fiscal sanity out the window. https://t.co/KPJQYR0lgg
— Rep. Jeff Duncan (@RepJeffDuncan) July 25, 2019
With the national debt rapidly approaching an astonishing $23 trillion, we should be working around the clock, canceling Congressional recess if necessary, to hammer out a budget agreement that responsibly cuts spending and sets the country on a track to fiscal solvency. https://t.co/MmMRWqHZtg
— Rep. Jody Hice (@CongressmanHice) July 25, 2019
#ICYMI Thankfully, a solid majority of Republicans (132 of 197) rejected this bad bill and supported more fiscally responsible alternatives to the broken status quo. https://t.co/ZGEioAwxpl
— Warren Davidson (@WarrenDavidson) July 26, 2019
Unfortunately for the valiant Freedom Caucus members, their efforts to achieve fiscal responsibility have been in vain. There will likely have to be another economic calamity before the public wakes up, and the corrupt swamp rats in Washington D.C. are forced to face the music.