NTU urges all Members to vote “NO” on the $604 billion spending package (H.R. 1).

Bloated government budgets simply don’t make economies soar. They didn’t work in the 1970s, the last time Washington tried spending its way out of a slump. It would be an outrage to now add $6,700 to each household’s share of the national debt to pay for a misguided, rushed, and desperate attempt to “do something, anything” about the economy. Our 362,000 members understand that shifting money from individuals to a mishmash of government programs (many with questionable performance records) will not “stimulate” sustainable economic growth.

Low tax rates on hard work and investment will do much more over the short and long term to expand prosperity in America. Temporary tax credits for favored groups (many of whom have no effective federal income tax burden) will do little to spur economic growth, and it actually works against efforts to promote a simplified Tax Code.

The policy reach of H.R. 1 goes far beyond taxing and spending. The legislation contains burdensome “net neutrality” Internet regulations and anti-trade domestic steel/iron purchasing requirements, not to mention the creation of at least 32 new federal programs.

Finally, H.R. 1 contains a toothless “appropriate use of taxpayer dollars” certification provision that provides no real protections for taxpayers. If the list of ridiculous “ready to go” spending projects put forth by the U.S. Conference of Mayors is any guide, a cascade of “Bridges to Nowhere” will result from this bill.

Roll call votes on the budget-busting spending bill (H.R. 1) will be among the most heavily weighted votes in our 2009 Rating of Congress. VOTE NO.

If you have any questions, please contact
NTU Director of Government Affairs Kristina Rasmussen at (703) 683-5700.