Conservatives Applaud Tom DeLay's Support for Budget Reform

ACU says Majority Leader is once again coming through for American taxpayers

 ALEXANDRIA , VA - The American Conservative Union, the nation's oldest and largest Conservative grass roots organization, today expressed strong support for Tom DeLay's plans to move forward with groundbreaking reforms of the Budget Act of 1974. Majority Leader DeLay has created a budget reform “working group” with strong conservative representation to create legislation that will limit the growth of government and make it easier to cut bloated federal spending.

"The Conservative Movement applauds Tom DeLay for his bold leadership on the crucial issue of budget reform," said ACU Chairman David Keene. "Tom DeLay is standing with his fellow Conservatives to give lawmakers the budgetary tools they need to curb the rampant growth of government."

DeLay’s leadership builds the on action of other strong House leaders. On May 11, Reps. Jeb Hensarling, Paul Ryan, Chris Chocola, and Chris Cox introduced H.R. 2290, The Family Budget Protection Act. This Legislation, backed by the conservative Republican Study Committee, would limit the growth of entitlement spending to the rate of inflation plus population growth while limiting discretionary spending growth to the rate of inflation. The spending restrictions would be protected by a point of order and, if breached, enforced with an across the board sequester. Moreover, the legislation creates “Budget Protection Accounts” which seek to redirect spending from the Appropriations process to further tax reduction.

In addition to provisions in the Family Budget Protection Act, DeLay’s budget reform working group is reportedly considering other overhauls, like sunsets for mandatory spending programs and elimination of spending programs that have exceeded their authorization.

“The Family Budget Protection Act is a strong bill and would be a real victory for Conservatives and tax payers,” continued Keene. “Tom DeLay is showing real vision and leadership by examining the provisions of this bill for budget overhaul, while also considering additional provisions to rein in out-of-control government spending.”