AFP Calls on PA Congressmen to Cosponsor Trump’s Rescission Package

Jun 1, 2018 by AFP

Group urges Pennsylvania delegation to cut $15 billion in spending by passing President Trump’s rescission package

Harrisburg, Pa. – On the heels of launching the first phase of its “Stop Our Spending” campaign to call attention to the dramatic over spending that takes place in Washington, Americans for Prosperity-Pennsylvania (AFP-PA) is calling on Pennsylvania’s House delegation to take the first step in reining in wasteful spending by cosponsoring the rescission package proposed by President Trump that would cancel $15 billion in unspent funds from previous years.

Currently, no U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania’s delegation is a cosponsor of the rescission package, which was introduced as H.R. 3. Pennsylvania Senator Pat Toomey recently introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

“We challenge lawmakers to cosponsor the White House’s rescission package and then vote for it,” said AFP-PA State Director Beth Anne Mumford. “This rescission package is a modest first step in the right direction, but it’s the first real opportunity lawmakers have since the omnibus passed to demonstrate their commitment to fiscal restraint and their eagerness to rebuild the taxpayers’ trust.”

Background:

The “Stop Over Spending” campaign includes robust digital, direct-mail, print, and radio advertising in congressional districts across the country to thank or hold accountable members based on their vote on the $1.3 trillion omnibus spending package for fiscal year 2018. That omnibus pushed total federal spending over $4 trillion, or $33,000 per household.

AFP-PA called out Representatives Lou Barletta and Matt Cartwright for their vote on the omnibus and urged them to support immediate measures to help restore taxpayer trust in Congress by focusing on cutting wasteful spending. Only Pennsylvania Reps. Brendan Boyle, Scott Perry, Keith Rothfus, Lloyd Smucker, and Mike Kelly stood by taxpayers and voted against the wasteful spending omnibus package.

AFP strongly opposed the omnibus earlier this year, calling it a “reckless disregard for the burden that will be pushed onto future generations,” and supports efforts like rescission that would allow Congress to begin undoing some of the damage. President Trump has also expressed his disapproval with excessive spending in the omnibus bill and said at the bill signing, “I will never sign another bill like this again.”

While tax reform continues to benefit American workers and the overall economy, unchecked spending threatens to undermine that progress and drag the economy down.

The recent $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill pushed total Washington spending above $4 trillion for the first time. Congress also failed to make any reforms to entitlement programs, which are the major drivers of spending. AFP has long-advocated the importance of pairing tax cuts with spending restraint to grow the economy and improve the lives of all Americans.

Fiscal year 2019 spending legislation, which is currently being written, will be the last chance for members of Congress to prove before the midterm elections that they can be trusted stewards of taxpayer dollars. AFP views the fall 2019 spending debate as a critical test for lawmakers and will be engaging grassroots activists throughout the summer to hold both parties accountable for reckless spending and stress the importance of getting spending under control.

In recent weeks, AFP has fought major boondoggles like the 2018 Farm Bill and called on lawmakers to repeal some omnibus bill spending by supporting President Trump’s rescission plan.

For further information or an interview, reach Lorenz Isidro at LIsidro@afphq.org or 703.887.7724

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) exists to recruit, educate, and mobilize citizens in support of the policies and goals of a free society at the local, state, and federal level, helping every American live their dream – especially the least fortunate. AFP has more than 3.2 million activists across the nation, a local infrastructure that includes 36 state chapters, and has received financial support from more than 100,000 Americans in all 50 states. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org

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