May 31, 2023

Reschenthaler Statement on House Passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Chief Deputy Whip Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA) released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 3746, the Fiscal Responsibility Act, to avert the federal debt crisis and institute responsible spending reforms.
 
“For over three months, House Republicans worked to avoid a default on America’s debts. President Biden and Democrats refused to do the same.
 
Through a combination of hard work and political fortitude, Republicans not only forced Biden to negotiate but also secured the largest federal spending cut in U.S. history – a huge win for the fiscal state of our nation.
 
In addition to critical spending reforms, House Republicans and I also secured the completion of the Mountain Valley Pipeline. The completed pipeline will deliver $150 million annually in royalties to Pennsylvania landowners, along with lower energy costs for the surrounding communities.
 
Last November, the American people elected a conservative House majority to bring back the ideals which made our nation great – energy independence, reasonable lawmaking, and an economic environment that works for them, not just the liberal elite.
 
While not a perfect plan, the Fiscal Responsibility Act accomplishes this vision, avoids a catastrophic default, and gets America back on track – on Republicans’ terms.”
 
The Fiscal Responsibility Act does the following:
  • Cuts spending year-over-year, including a rollback of non-defense discretionary spending to FY22 Levels; fully funds VA medical.
  • Limits topline federal spending to 1% annual growth for the next 6 years. 
  • Enacts consequential reforms to SNAP and TANF to get Americans back to work, and grows the economy.
  • Claws back $29 billion of unobligated, unspent COVID funds.
  • Enacts into law the first ever statutory Administrative Pay-Go to hold President Biden accountable for the full cost of executive rules and regulations, which should save taxpayers trillions.
  • Accelerates projects and cut costs with the first significant reform to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) since 1982.
  • Nixes the total FY23 staffing funding request for new IRS agents.
  • Requires borrowers to be responsible for paying off their student loan debts, saving taxpayers an estimated $5 billion per month.
  • Compels a functioning appropriations process by imposing a temporary 99% CR-level cap until all 12 appropriations bills are enacted.
  • Ensures full funding for critical veterans programs and national defense priorities, while preserving Social Security and Medicare.
  • Rejects all of President Biden's $5 trillion in proposed new tax increases, new government mandates, and new federal programs.
Read the full legislative text here.