Paulsen: 'Cut, Cap, Balance' Right Way to Control Spending

With less than two weeks before the August 2 deadline to address the debt limit, I’ve been working with my colleagues to address our spending-driven debt crisis, and to make sure that we pass on a debt free future to our children and grandchildren. Here is an update from our nation’s capitol.

Cut, Cap, and Balance: The Right Approach to Control Spending

As it stands now, our nation’s debt is nearly $14.3 trillion dollars – higher than any other time in American history. With some in Washington asking for even more spending, our debt burden already equals more than 95% of our entire economy.

Simply put, we've got to stop spending money we don't have.

To ensure that Washington adequately addresses our nation’s debt crisis, I voted for a plan called the Cut, Cap, and Balance Act. This common sense legislation passed with bipartisan support and places three measures in place to ensure real spending reforms are met, including immediate spending cuts, enforceable spending caps, and requiring a balanced budget amendment. Minnesota families are prioritizing spending and cutting back where needed, it's time Washington does the same. I believe you deserve a government that spends its money as wisely as you do.

Details on the Cut, Cap and Balance Act:

• Cut – Would cut total FY 2012 spending by $111 billion.
• Cap – Total federal spending would be capped at historical averages over time.
• Balance – Would require the passage of a Balanced Budget Amendment.

By beginning to pay down our debt, and living within our means, we can stop mortgaging our children's future, get our budget on a path to fiscal stability, and get our country on a path to prosperity.

Bipartisan Group of Senators and Congressman Introduce Pulmonary Fibrosis Legislation

Last week, I joined a  bipartisan team of Senators and Representatives in introducing bills in both chambers of Congress to strengthen America’s fight against pulmonary fibrosis, which claims the lives of 40,000 Americans each year.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a relentlessly progressive, ultimately fatal disease that affects the lungs and a person’s ability to breathe. There is no known cause of pulmonary fibrosis, it has no cures, and there are currently no FDA-approved treatments. 

As more and more Americans are diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis each year, we have been unable to make the necessary advancements that would cure and prevent this debilitating disease. My legislation will create a national registry to gather more data which is essential to broaden our understanding of the disease and how it acts and reacts within the body, thus paving a way for a cure for the more than 200,000 Americans living with pulmonary fibrosis.

Please let me know whenever I can be of assistance and keep in touch. Don't forget to follow me on Twitter and Facebook, as well as my free iPhone App.

Erik Paulsen
Member of Congress