Budget and Fiscal Issues

WASHINGTON -- Representatives Ralph Norman (SC-05) and Dave Brat (VA-07) announced the launch of the Congressional Waste-Cutters Caucus during a joint interview streamed on Facebook live from the Capitol. Citizens Against Government Waste President Tom Schatz hosted the event. The new caucus’s mission will be to highlight instances of wasteful federal spending and offer amendments during the appropriations process that would eliminate wasteful spending. The caucus also calls on leadership to ref... Read more

The following op-ed originally appeared in the July 30, 2018 edition of the Wall Street Journal This week a congressional conference committee gets to work resolving the differences between the House and Senate versions of the 2018 farm bill, which authorizes the federal food-stamp program. Among the most contested issues will be the work requirements for able-bodied, single adults passed by the House. Republicans must stand up for fiscal responsibility and the dignity that comes with work. I am... Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dave Brat applauded the passage of H.R. 3, the Spending Cuts to Expired and Unnecessary Programs Act: “This package helps claw back unneeded federal spending and helps provide taxpayers’ relief from the massive omnibus spending package that got signed into law. It’s a good first step, but I hope there will be many more steps taken soon. I look forward to more conversations with my colleagues and the White House about how to substantially relieve the debt burden loo... Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Biggs, along with 34 original co-sponsors, introduced a House resolution recognizing the national debt as a threat to national security. This resolution comes as America’s national debt is quickly approaching $22 trillion dollars, and Congress remains reluctant to cut spending and balance the budget. Congressman Biggs and several of the original co-sponsors released the following statements: “My colleagues and I have introduced this resolution because, with a natio... Read more

This column originally appeared in the June 3rd, 2018 edition of the Richmond Times-Dispatch. People fed up with high-tax, slow-growth areas of the country migrate in large quantities to low-tax, high-growth areas of the country. Despite fleeing areas with less favorable economic conditions, when they get to the low-tax, high growth areas, they vote in favor of policies that undermine the economic environment they were attracted to in the first place! Simply put, flourishing red areas of the cou... Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Office of Management and Budget sent Congress a rescission package at 10:00am ET today. In reaction, Rep. Dave Brat, member of the House Budget Committee, released the following statement: “I, of course, applaud any initiative to scale back spending at the federal level. I recently wrote an op-ed requesting the White House send Congress a rescission package. More good news -- this rescission package is the largest in history. I am glad this administration is trying to rect... Read more

The following op-ed appeared in the April 29, 2018 edition of Richmond Times-Dispatch. What voters hate more than anything are politicians who say one thing on the campaign trail, and then abandon those promises when they get into office — especially on big-ticket items. That’s why it was disappointing to see Gov. Ralph Northam go back on his word to Virginians about sanctuary cities. A 2017 Harvard-Harris poll showed that 80 percent of voters say, “Cities that arrest illegal immigrants for crim... Read more

The following op-ed appeared in the April 13, 2018 edition of The Washington Times. Conservatives are horrified by the staggering $21 trillion in debt as well as the trillion dollar deficits we are running each year as a result of the latest omnibus bill and spending trajectory. Last month, my office’s phones were ringing off the hook with constituents dismayed that Washington is once again dramatically growing the size of government and their kids’ debt bill. Adhering to the principles that I r... Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dave Brat, member of the House Budget Committee and a former economics professor, released the following statement strongly supporting a balanced budget amendment. Last year, Rep. Brat introduced a balanced budget amendment (H.J. Res. 119). “I am supportive of efforts to pass a balanced budget amendment for several reasons: it would codify Congress’s responsibility for fiscal responsibility, it would restore the balance of power away from the executive branch back ... Read more

ALEXANDRIA, VA – The American Conservative Union Foundation (ACUF) released its 47th Annual Federal Ratings of Congress and announced that Rep. Dave Brat is among the recipients of ACUF’s Award for Conservative Excellence. Each year, ACUF produces an annual scorecard based on the voting records of members in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. All members of Congress are issued a score and awards are presented to those members who score an 80 percent or higher. Rep. Brat (100% ACU... Read more