Focusing on Fiscal Responsibility and Defending Taxpayers

Like many in Washington, Congressman Cravaack talks the talk when it comes to fiscal responsibility, but he hasn’t walked the walk in Congress. He refuses to support critical projects in his home district, but votes for wasteful government programs. He claims to be a watchdog for the taxpayer, but spends significant taxpayer dollars on campaign-style mailings, tele-townhalls and automated calls. He’s even against making Members of Congress play by the same investment rules as the rest of us.

My parents were realtors, so growing up there were times it was feast or famine in our household. I’ve been self-employed and run a statewide organization. I know what it’s like to meet payroll, rising health care costs and the bottom line in tight budget times. I learned how to stretch every penny out of every dollar. I took this experience to the Legislature, where, unlike Congress, we passed balanced budgets every year from that experience. I voted for tough budget cuts – totaling 10% of the state budget in the last two years alone – and fought to hold taxes down for over 95% of Minnesotans. I also fought to hold down property taxes for our families and seniors. And when Minnesota faced a record budget crisis, I led by example by cutting my own compensation and office expenses.

We have all had to tighten our belts, and Congress needs to do the same. I’m calling for a 5% pay cut for Members of Congress, because it’s time for our elected officials to lead by example. It’s also time for Members of Congress to pay for campaign-style communication out of their campaign funds, not with taxpayer dollars. It’s time for Congress to pass the STOCK act so that Members of Congress play by the same rules as the rest of us and stop the possibility of profiting off of laws they pass. I’ll fight to cut red tape and wasteful spending, and for strict pay-as-you-go rules, so we stop charging bills on the taxpayers’ credit card. I pushed to increase accountability, transparency and results in Minnesota’s state government, and I will do the same in Congress. It’s time for leaders to quit talking the talk on fiscal responsibility and start walking the walk.