McHenry Statement on Democrats' Historic Increase in Discretionary Spending

Press Release
February 25, 2009

Congressman Patrick McHenry (NC-10) released the following statement regarding H.R. 1105, the fiscal year 2009 omnibus appropriations bill.

“Last evening, we heard President Obama talk about the need to “make the hard choices to bring down the debt.” The President seemingly understands that a $2 trillion federal deficit will prolong and deepen the economic crisis.

“On the heels of the so-called $787 billion stimulus bill, the Democrat majority in Congress has not made the tough choices necessary, but are increasing discretionary spending at its highest rate since the Carter Administration. Worse, the omnibus spending bill includes 8,696 earmarks to fund the pet projects of politicians at a cost of $11 billion. This is money that taxpayers do not have and cannot afford.

“The Democrat majority refuses to heed the advice of their President and countless economists who warn against such gluttonous use of the public purse. Unless they stop spending as though we’re playing with Monopoly money, taxpayers will be left with catastrophic inflation and tax increases like we’ve never seen before in this country.”