Rep. Kelly Statement on President Obama’s FY 2015 Budget Proposal

WASHINGTON — U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) – a member of the House Ways and Means Committee – issued the following statement today regarding President Obama’s federal budget proposal for fiscal year 2015.

“At first glance at the president’s latest budget, it sadly appears that his administration has utterly given up even trying to get our fiscal house in order or our economy back to work for the American people. Instead of adhering to the bipartisan budget plan he just signed into law, President Obama’s proposal would increase spending by $56 billion more than the Ryan-Murray deal this year alone and add $8.3 trillion to our national debt over the next decade. With our debt already piling a haunting and unprecedented $17 trillion onto our children and grandchildren’s backs, this proposal is not just unthinkable but immoral. Instead of helping our economy to grow, it would take another $1.8 trillion out of hardworking taxpayers’ pockets in higher taxes. Instead of taking responsible action to strengthen Medicare and Social Security, it ignores their insolvency altogether. Meanwhile, it would leave our national defense capabilities in grave danger and, unlike every plan my House colleagues and I have put forward, would never balance the federal budget, ever.

“At a time when Americans need and expect leaders in both parties to work together to reverse our nation’s slide toward bankruptcy, the White House has chosen to focus on politics and leave the tough but necessary work to others. I look forward to addressing Treasury Secretary Lew at this Thursday’s Ways and Means committee hearing in order to receive some sort of justification for yet the latest unserious budget proposal by this administration.”

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