In just 11 months, our nation has gone from stagnation and atrophy to experiencing over 4% growth in gross domestic product, with trillions of dollars lining up to expand advanced manufacturing in America, and an astounding drop in energy prices, especially in red states, that will save American households over $11 billion in 2026. These are just several incredible elements of the growth and prosperity that a limited federal government can help deliver for the hardworking people of America. To further enrich Americans, common sense and courage will tighten the belt in Washington.
For too long, the growth of Washington spending, regulations, and a lack of oversight have burdened American families, small businesses, and our ability to empower people to live freely and independently. This is not sustainable, and Americans know it. When you max out your credit cards, you still have to pay the bills. The same is true for our nation’s spending, except the stakes are multiplied. We are not just mortgaging our futures; we are also mortgaging our children’s and grandchildren’s futures.
The Republican Study Committee, the largest conservative caucus in Congress, has a tradition of producing a budget that serves as a road map for fiscal responsibility. This is not just another Washington document designed to gather dust on a shelf. This is a serious proposal that demonstrates something many critics claim is impossible: We can balance the federal budget through realistic, responsible choices.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government enacted emergency measures that dramatically increased spending. The pandemic is long over, yet spending at those emergency levels continues, driving our national debt to dangerous heights and threatening our long-term economic stability.
The RSC budget takes the necessary step of returning to pre-pandemic spending levels. This is not about slashing government to the bone, but rather about creating spending discipline that reflects genuine national priorities instead of political games that have characterized federal spending in recent years. It means saying no to special interests that have grown comfortable feeding off hardworking taxpayers and saying yes to the hardworking American families who deserve a government that lives within its means.
Critics will say balancing the budget requires painful sacrifices that hurt vulnerable Americans. Our budget proves them wrong. We balance the budget without reducing Social Security or Medicare benefits, raising the Social Security retirement age, or eliminating critical agricultural programs that support our farmers. These are commitments we heard loud and clear from families across America, and we’ve honored them.
Instead, we focus on enacting pro-growth, deregulatory policies and ending waste, fraud, and abuse in government programs. We close loopholes that allow states to game the system, and we ensure programs designed to help those who need assistance actually serve those people, rather than becoming vehicles for those looking to live off the federal government. We eliminate the bloated bureaucracy and the excessive regulations that stifle economic growth without improving people’s lives.
Recent victories have shown what’s possible when we have the courage to govern according to these principles. Last summer, we delivered significant tax relief for working families, strengthened border security, and reduced federal spending by $1.9 trillion through reconciliation legislation.
The path forward requires acknowledging some uncomfortable realities. Fiscal responsibility means putting a stronger future in front of an expeditious present. It means having the courage to say “enough is enough” to groups who have grown accustomed to automatic increases in their preferred programs. Fiscal responsibility is ensuring every taxpayer dollar is spent wisely and effectively, not carelessly scattered across duplicative programs that fail to achieve their stated goals or serve narrow special interests, rather than strengthening American families.
AMERICA 250 LAUNCHES VOLUNTEER EFFORT TO ‘GALVANIZE OUR COUNTRY’
When Washington gets out of the way, the economy thrives, small businesses grow, job opportunities expand, and people are more secure in their lives with higher wages and economic stability. We are already seeing the results of pro-growth policies coupled with a focus on empowering the people. In the coming months, families will benefit from $100-$150 billion in tax refunds, capital expenditures for reinvestment and new equipment will surge, and new job growth will continue accruing to the benefit of native-born Americans.
In short, American exceptionalism is back, and we need to do all we can to encourage a virtuous cycle of growth, investment, opportunity, and expansion. The RSC budget proves all of this is possible. It’s time to end the “emergency spending,” stop charging Americans, and deliver the sustained prosperity our hardworking families so richly deserve.
Beth Van Duyne represents Texas’s 24th Congressional District in the House.