False Promises: Democrats Fail to Cut Spending

by Julie Borowski

Despite the fanfare with which Democrats alleged their frugality last week, few stood up to actually cut wasteful spending when the opportunity presented itself.  In a meeting with committee chairmen, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) urged members to compile a list of wasteful programs that could be eliminated from the budget, pledging to have a list of rescissions ready for a vote by Friday. Meanwhile, Speaker Nancy Pelosi lauded the President’s spending dog and pony show after his introduction of the toothless Reduce Unnecessary Spending Act of 2010. 

However, the requested spending cuts were not compiled, much less submitted, and Democrats voted down on Thursday the second of the YouCut proposals to cut wasteful federal spending. After masquerading as responsible stewards of taxpayer money, House Democrats refused to stand up for taxpayers when it really counted, voting against a measure that would have instituted a federal pay freeze. When their bloated federal salaries are at risk, Members sent a clear message to taxpayers illustrating what their priorities are.

This is a primary example of why frustration with the Democratic-controlled Congress is at an all time high—representatives refuse to restrain runaway federal spending without regard to the desires of the American people. This is also demonstrates why we have been weary of the President and the majority’s claims of fiscal responsibility – when their feet are held to the fire, the promises of thrift go up in smoke.

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