Crapo: Budget Must Focus On Spending Reductions

Washington, DC â?? Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Senate Budget Committee, is speaking out in favor of federal fiscal restraint, urging his Budget Committee colleagues to reduce the federal deficit by â??focusing on the spending sideâ?? of the budget resolution for Fiscal Year 2005. The Senate Budget Committee is in the middle of completing work on the budget resolution; final vote on the resolution is expected late this evening. The 2005 Budget Resolution provides Congress with a blueprint on taxes and spending as legislative decisions are made throughout the year. The Senate Appropriations Committee then works from that blueprint as it makes more specific budget decisions and recommendations.â??A large federal deficit is not acceptable, and we must take steps to eliminate it,â?? Crapo said. â??One of the most important steps we can take is to reign in government spending. It is the spending side of the Budget we must look to curtail, both in entitlement programs and discretionary spending. Tax increases are not the answer as they will stunt the economic growth that brings jobs to more Americans, and steadily improves our economy. I look forward to working with my colleagues to produce a common sense, fiscally responsible Budget that will put us on a path to deficit reduction.â?? Comments from Crapo during the mark-up are available via satellite this afternoon: 1:45-2:15 p.m. Mountain/12:45-1:15 p.m. Galaxy 3 (C-Band) Transponder 7 Horizontal Downlink 3840 Standard audio# # #FOR INTERESTED MEDIA: A radio actuality is available by calling 1-800-545-1267. Press 327 at any time during or after the greeting and instructions. You can also access the actuality through the Internet at http://www.senate.gov/~src/radio