Speaker Ryan: Trump's budget is keeping his promises
On 'The Story,' House speaker discusses the budget proposal, future of GOP unity, Russia probe
In 2008, President Obama claimed that saddling the American people with $9 trillion in debt was “irresponsible” and “unpatriotic.” Yet, after eight years of his tax-and-spend policies, Obama is rightfully dubbed the King of Debt for doubling our national debt, which stood at a staggering $20 trillion when he left office.
This reckless approach to spending by Democrats launched our country into an unprecedented fiscal crisis. But last year, the voters said ‘enough is enough’ when they elected President Trump and Republicans at all levels for their bold vision to get our country’s fiscal house in order.
President Trump is delivering on his promise to the American people by proposing a budget that will pay down our national debt and reinvigorate our economy over the next decade. This budget reins in spending without any cuts in benefits to Social Security or Medicare for our seniors—a pledge the president made during his campaign and intends to keep.
Republicans know that our nation’s entrepreneurs and small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy. By making federal government more efficient and less intrusive, we empower them to invest, create jobs, and grow our economy. We want families to keep more of their hard-earned paychecks, because we know they can spend their money better at home than the federal government can in Washington, D.C.
President Trump has already taken a step in the right direction by introducing a tax plan that includes one of the biggest tax cuts for middle-class families and small businesses in American history. This means money will go back into the pockets of job creators that spur real economic growth. Republicans remain committed to not only lowering taxes, but also reforming our outdated and onerous tax code to make it simpler and fairer for everyone.
By enacting comprehensive tax reform that eliminates unnecessary, burdensome Obama-era regulations, our country can save as much as $1.2 trillion. This is a significant amount of money that will help bolster President Trump’s America First priorities.
One of the most crucial among those priorities is rebuilding our nation’s military, which was left depleted and out-of-date after years of neglect by the previous administration. President Trump’s budget includes a 10 percent increase in defense spending, providing a long-overdue modernization of military assets and support. This means our servicemen and servicewomen, who risk their lives daily for our freedom, would be fully equipped to succeed in the line of fire.
Strengthening our national security at home is also paramount to President Trump’s priorities, which is why this budget allocates billions to border security to help ensure the safety and security of all Americans.
While many hard choices were necessary to reach this budget, the spending reductions reflect President Trump’s charge to reduce the size of the federal workforce and create a leaner, more accountable, and less intrusive government for the American people.
Republican priorities could not be clearer. We will decrease spending and increase economic growth. We will scale back burdensome regulations and let Americans keep more of their hard-earned money. We will undo the damage done by President Obama and once again give our country hope that the American Dream is still attainable.
The tone is set. It is now time for Congressional Republicans and our Administration to work together to make this dream a reality.
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