Cut-as-you-go is a policy whose time has come

Essentially, the principle would require lawmakers to propose spending offsets to cover the costs of any new federal programs the House considers under fast-track rules that require a super-majority two-thirds vote in the House. Often called “suspension” bills because they move with relatively no debate, these vehicles have been abused in the past to move controversial measures of legislation, which was not the original purpose of the suspension calendar.
 
Regardless of the legislative mumbo jumbo, this is a principle-to-practice exercise that can and must work if Republicans are to truly change the tone in Washington. To which I say, it’s about time! What a powerful message this practice would send to the American people — that Republicans (or even Democrats, for that matter) are mindful of whose money they’re spending. Congress cannot continue borrowing 41 cents for every dollar it spends this year. Obama’s actions earlier this week were one example of increased austerity, and this is another.
 
{mosads}For years, Democrats played word games with tax relief, pretending to be for tax cuts, but limiting them by using the phrase “targeted tax cuts.” Well, they should quickly embrace this notion of “targeted spending” — where no dollar will be wasted, and every one invested in its proper, transparent use. Who can be against that?
 
We are on a good path here, ladies and gentleman. I only hope for the sake of our fiscal health, Republicans and Democrats alike are sticking their federal big toe in the water and testing it for the major plunge we need to take as a nation to get us out of this massive debt we have saddled our futures with.
 
Godspeed, House Republicans.
 
 

Armstrong Williams is on Sirius/XM Power 169, 7-8 p.m. and 4-5 a.m., Monday through Friday. Become a fan on Facebook- www.facebook.com/arightside, and follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/arightside.