[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 30, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E636]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CITIZEN CONCERN ABOUT CONGRESS PASSING A RESPONSIBLE BUDGET

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                          HON. JASON T. SMITH

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 30, 2014

  Mr. SMITH of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following response 
to a letter from a concerned citizen.

       Dear Mr. McAnulty: Thank you for contacting me with your 
     concerns about Congress passing a responsible budget. I 
     appreciate the time you took to reach out to me on this 
     important issue. In my first few days in Congress, I 
     introduced H. J. Res. 49, which is an amendment to the U.S. 
     Constitution that would require an annual balanced budget. I 
     believe that the federal government, like families throughout 
     Missouri, should only spend what it has.
       On December 12, 2013 the House of Representatives voted on 
     a budget compromise that set spending levels for the next two 
     years. While I believe Congress must pass a budget, I 
     ultimately could not support this compromise plan that 
     immediately raised new revenues without giving immediate 
     attention to Washington's spending addiction and our massive 
     national debt. We must start paying down our national debt.
       Another reason I voted against the budget compromise were 
     the changes made to veteran's benefits. Our men and women in 
     uniform deserve unwavering support from every Member of 
     Congress and all Americans. It is wrong to balance budgets on 
     the backs of troops who voluntarily put themselves in harm's 
     way so that we can all be free. The livelihood of our troops 
     should not be negotiable.
       While I appreciate the time and effort that went into 
     crafting this budget deal, I could not support this plan 
     because it immediately increases spending without immediately 
     reducing the deficit. Simply put this agreement raises 
     revenue and spends more money.
       Again, I appreciate the time you have taken to reach out to 
     me. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any 
     additional questions or concerns. I am honored to have the 
     opportunity to represent the Eighth Congressional District of 
     Missouri and encourage you to visit my website at 
     www.jasonsmith.house.gov/contact/newsletter to sign up for my 
     e-newsletter and receive regular updates from Washington, DC.

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