McCarthy: Washington has a spending problem, and it has to stop

 Rep. Kevin McCarthy gives us his weekly view from Capitol Hill. In his words:

 "This week the Treasury Department announced that the U.S. posted its largest April budget deficit on record – $82.7 billion.  This number is more than twice the $40 billion many economists predicted it would
be, and it is nearly four times the $20.91 billion the U.S. posted last April.  What’s worse is that this may get worse as the U.S. has recorded deficits consistently for the last nineteen months, and many
economists today are predicting that by the end of the year the federal budget deficit could be as high as $1.5 trillion.‬
  Additionally, on Tuesday, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released a report indicating that the new health care law’s original cost estimate was low, and the law will now cost $115 billion more in
discretionary spending.  This means that the total costs will now likely exceed the trillion dollar mark. ‬

‪"Combined these numbers are all unsettling, yet they prove good reason for America to come together and work on a budget resolution that will tackle these issues.  However, it’s unfortunate that this
Congressional majority disagrees, and as a result for the first time in the modern history, the House of Representatives may not pass a budget resolution.‬

‪ "What is clear from all these figures is that Washington has a spending problem. In the last year and a half the debt and deficit have exceed all expectations, they have risen to record heights and have done so all while our economy suffers nearly double digit unemployment.  It is past time to get our financial house in order. That is why I ask you to share your thoughts on what Washington programs to cut by participating in YouCut at: www.republicanwhip.house.gov/youcut.‬

  "As you might have heard me mention before, I am heading up an effort to help craft an alternative congressional agenda. This effort, recently given the name America Speaking Out, is to give the American
people a voice in their government again by engaging Americans in a conversation to gather to common-sense solutions from across America. We know our principles, and want to take our principles and start a
conversation using all resources and opportunities available to us, including cutting-edge technology and town hall meetings, to help create a new agenda for Congress. As we’ve seen, there is a growing disconnect between American and Washington. This is wrong. It’s the people’s House after all. That is one of the reasons I want to hear from you at my town hall I am planning to hold on Wednesday, June 2nd
in Bakersfield.  More details on the town hall will come in the coming weeks. I hope you can make it out and share your ideas with me.‬

‪ "Great to see everyone who was visiting Washington this week: Cathy Fanucchi, Robert and Doreen Abrams and their family, William and Jeanette Colm (William is the grandson of Brocks Department store
founder and we reminisced about the Brocks-Debber days) and Don and Sally Valpredo. ‬