Conaway Chronicle Volume 6, Issue 5

Many Chronicle readers noted that the links at the bottom of last night's edition were not working. We've fixed them this afternoon. As always, I look forward to feedback on the Chronicle and appreciate those readers who alerted me to the broken links. Thanks, Mike.

Striking an agreement late Sunday night, the President and Congressional leadership ended months of debate with a compromise that is far from perfect, yet undoubtedly a step forward for conservatives. Motivated by a closing window of opportunity, the President finally relinquished his demands to raise taxes, clearing the way for a debt ceiling increase that passed the House 269-161 on Monday. With bipartisan support, this agreement marks the beginning of a new chapter in Washington, focused not on “how much we spend,” but on “how much we cut.”

There are some who say the spending cuts are not large enough, and I agree. We have experienced 40 years of virtually unchecked government growth, including the explosion of deficit spending during the past two years, that we must roll back. However, conservatives control only one half of one third of government. So, we are going to have to continue to fight for every dollar of savings.

Seven months ago, if someone had told me the President would agree to a bill that reduces discretionary spending over the next two years, does not raise taxes, and paves the way for a balanced budget amendment, I might of questioned their sanity. Nonetheless, here we are, one quarter of the way into 112th Congress and one vote closer to transforming the Washington spending culture.

One of the most important results of the compromise is that we will have a vote on a balanced budget amendment (BBA) in the House and the Senate sometime between October and the end of December. Nothing will do more to change the way taxpayers' money is spent than a BBA. I encourage all conservative Americans who are concerned about the legacy of debt we are in the process of handing off to our children and grandchildren to mobilize and help us convince members of the House and Senate to support the BBA. I am a champion of the BBA and need your help to make it the law of the land.

I have attached links below to more information about the Budget Control Act we just passed. This vote is but one step in a long journey to reign-in our nation’s debt or deficits. I will continue to fight to cut spending and change the culture of Washington.

Read the Congressional Budget Office Analysis for the Budget Control Act Amendment

Legislative text of the Budget Control Act Amendment of 2011

Section-by-section Analysis of the Budget Control Act of 2011

Savings from the Budget Control Act

Where's Your Budget, Mr. President?


Sincerely,
Rep. Mike Conaway, 11th District
http://conaway.house.gov/