From the office of Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger (11th District)…
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-11) released the following statement on today’s bipartisan House vote to cut $4 billion in government spending and keep the government open through March 18, 2011.
“Today, the House passed legislation that cuts $4 billion in wasteful spending and will keep the government running for another two weeks. It is high time that we cut up the government’s credit cards and draw a hard line to stop the government from overspending which is hampering job creation.
“However, two weeks worth of spending cuts is simply not enough to sustain our economy, which is why ten days ago, the House passed H.R. 1, legislation that would fund the government through the end of the 2011 Fiscal Year.
“House Republicans have been using a scalpel and magnifying glass to eliminate waste and excess in order to offer fiscally sound solutions to fund the government through the rest of the year. The decision to cut spending and keep our government open now rests in the hands of Senate Democrats whose actions will be held accountable to the American people.
“We must force the federal government to stop spending more money than we take in and focus our efforts toward growing the private sector, where jobs are created. We have tough decisions to make and the federal government must learn to do more with less, just as American families are forced to do.
“House Republicans are committed to fighting for solutions that follow through on our Pledge to America which will implement much needed spending reductions in order to eliminate barriers to job creation.”
Kinziner also joined four other freshmen congressman to urge Obama to act on three pending free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea.
In his State of the Union address, President Obama pledged to double our exports by 2014. House Republicans continue to emphasize that the way to achieve this is by passing the three pending free trade agreements.
“Expanding trade will strengthen our economic relationships with our trading partners and will create the desperately needed jobs here in America,” said Kinzinger. “The longer the U.S. continues to sit back, failing to act, the further our trading partners are advancing in their negotiations, leaving the U.S. behind.”
In 2007, the U.S. signed trade agreements with Columbia, Panama and South Korea. However, these agreements are still pending Congressional consideration. According to the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) estimations, the three trade agreements would increase U.S. exports by at least 1 percent and boost U.S. exports by at least $13 billion.
“In addition to his pledge to double our nation’s exports, President Obama has also made continuous claims that increasing U.S. exports by 1 percent could create 250,000 jobs,” continued Kinzinger. “My freshmen colleagues and I join Ways and Means Chairman Camp, Rules Committee Chairman Dreier, and other House Republicans in calling on President Obama to take the first step toward a bipartisan, comprehensive trade agenda and pass the three pending free trade agreements.
“The letter from 67 Freshmen members shows their commitment to a pro-growth agenda,” said Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp. “The letter underscores the importance of passing the three pending trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea without delay, and the critical role that these agreements play in creating good-paying U.S. jobs. Republicans are ready to work with the President on a comprehensive trade agenda to create real and sustained private sector job creation. Passing the three pending trade agreements is the essential first step.”
“House Republicans are committed to moving forward on this agreement without delay in order to promote economic growth and create well-paying jobs here in the U.S.,” said Kinzinger.
Click here to read the full letter to the President signed by 67 House Freshmen.