Capitol Solutions with U.S. Rep. David Young

Congressman David Young -- CROPPEDU.S. Rep. David Young
Iowa’s Third Congressional District

 

Back in January of 2011 new leadership was granted power in the U.S. House of Representatives by the American people. The overwhelming message voters demanded was to stop the reckless spending. House Republicans took immediate action – leading by example – doing what they said they would do.

In the very first week, the new leadership in the House of Representatives slashed $35 million from its own budget. I recall those days because I was working for Iowa in Senator Chuck Grassley’s office and I remember thinking, this was an important step for Republicans to reinforce by action what is in our core belief. I believe this is the kind of leadership people are looking for, making the tough choices, doing what needs to be done. Cutting budgets is never easy, but it has been too common of a reality for hardworking families across Iowa, and so Congress should be doing the same. But the new leadership in the House wasn’t finished – more cuts in spending by Congress were promised – and those promises were met.

Since 2011, House Republicans have grown these cuts to more than $782 million. That amounts to an overall 14% reduction in the cost of Congress. That is a big deal and unfortunately nowhere else in government have we seen an agency offer to cut its own budget or spending.

The day I was sworn in to represent Iowans in January of 2015, I immediately set out to do my part. With my experience I was able to get on the influential House Appropriations Committee, where the federal government gets funded. Serving on this committee lets me exercise the power of the purse, to demand accountability for every aspect, every program in our federal government on behalf of every Iowan.

Initially, I served on the Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee where the $782 million in cuts originated. I spent a lot of time with my colleagues discussing additional opportunities to cut waste and save money – respecting the taxpayers for whom we work. We achieved those savings and I think that lesson must be applied across the board in every department, agency and program of the federal government.

We must work together to find solutions and deliver results because that is what hardworking taxpayers expect and it is what they deserve. Everyone benefits from a government that listens to its people; I promise I will always listen to and work for you.