October 4, 2007
Dear Democratic Colleague:
Yesterday’s Washington Post and Wall Street Journal both have front-page stories about how the public increasingly favors Democrats over Republicans on matters of fiscal responsibility and the federal budget.
Wall Street Journal
“When Americans were asked which party could better deal with national problems, they gave Democrats an edge of 25 percentage points over Republicans on cutting deficits [and] 16 points on controlling federal spending…” (page A14)
Washington Post
“Democrats also have a greater share of the public trust on other key issues, including . . . the economy (18 points) and handling the federal budget deficit (23 points).” (Page A6)
The public’s trust is a validation of Democrats’ fiscal policies. We worked hard to restore fiscal responsibility in the 1990s, maintained that commitment while we were in the Congressional minority, and reaffirmed it this year in the majority. Democrats have long advocated fiscal policies that produce a budget in balance. This year, we passed a budget resolution that reaches balance in 2012 while making strategic investments where they are needed.
In addition, we established a pay-as-you-go principle for all new net mandatory spending and revenue changes. In the face of initial skepticism, Democrats have enforced the pay-as-you-go rule on every bill we have voted to pass this year. Unlike previous Congresses, which enacted expensive tax cuts and entitlement expansions without offsetting the costs, this year we are taking responsibility for our actions now. We are paying as we go, not passing along the cost to our children and grandchildren.
The articles in yesterday’s Post and Journal confirm that the public recognizes our record of fiscal responsibility.
Sincerely,
John M. Spratt, Jr.
Chairman
House Budget Committee
