Congressman Mike Simpson put out a statement today supporting H.R. 1, the continuing resolution for fiscal year 2011.  H.R. 1 cuts federal spending by $100 billion for the current year, the largest spending reduction in the nation’s history, in an effort to rein in out-of-control government spending and take the first steps toward reducing the national debt. 

“For years I have been saying that the fiscal crisis facing our nation threatens our national economy and the economic stability of American families, farmers, and businesses, and the spending spree of the past two years is having alarming consequences,” said Simpson, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.  “Given the enormity of this crisis, Republicans are stepping up to the plate and starting to make the tough decisions necessary to get our fiscal house back in order.  We cannot afford to continue spending at current rates and borrowing money to pay for it.”

As Chairman of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, Simpson has reduced his subcommittee’s budget by over $4.5 billion, 14% below the President’s FY11 budget request.  Cuts to the EPA comprise 69% of the bill-wide cut below current levels.  The bill terminates 27 programs within the subcommittee’s jurisdiction.

“Cutting billions of dollars out of our subcommittee’s budget means that we’ve had to make some very difficult decisions, and funding decreases of this magnitude will certainly be felt in states like Idaho that have large percentages of federal land,” said Simpson.  “I realize that many of these cuts will not be popular, but the simple truth is that you can’t spend money you don’t have.  If we are serious about getting our deficit under control, we have to do what every family in America does every day:  figure out what our priorities are and create a responsible budget that reflects those priorities.”

Compared to the President’s FY11 budget request, H.R. 1 would:
• Reduce funding for the EPA by 30%;
• Reduce federal land acquisition by $532 million, 90% below the FY11 request;
• Cut climate change funding across agencies within the subcommittee’s jurisdiction by 41%.

H.R. 1 was filed with the House Rules Committee tonight.  The House of Representatives will consider it on the floor next week.