Budget & Taxes
Budget
Mike is a strong advocate for fiscal responsibility, a balanced budget, reduced debt and less government spending. He believes that our national deficits are the largest threat to our economic security and that we should run the American government by making commonsense decisions that consider long-term consequences. Hardworking families have tightened their belts in these tough times, and the federal government should take the same responsible approach when creating the budget.
As a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition, Mike works to find middle-ground, bipartisan ways to curtail excessive spending, to work for a balanced budget, and to eliminate the burden on taxpayers. Mike has teamed with fellow members of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition in creating a plan aimed at cutting spending and balancing the budget. The Blue Dogs recognize that the system is broken regardless of which party is in charge.
Mike strongly opposed the automobile bailout as well as the bank bailout bill, which he voted against three times. He also voted not to increase the federal debt limit. Mike knows that we should work to eliminate the debt and lower costs rather than spend more money that we do not have.
Finally, Mike has consistently voted against a Congressional Pay Raise and he voted to deny the scheduled pay adjustment of 2.1% that Members of Congress were set to receive in January 2010. That Appropriations bill was signed into law in March 2009, therefore, members of Congress did not receive a pay increase for 2010.
Taxes
Mike believes that Americans deserve a fairer tax system that is easy to understand and that promotes economic growth.
During his time in Congress, Mike has voted to:
- Reduce the individual income tax,
- Eliminate the marriage penalty,
- Repeal the death tax,
- Increase the per-child tax credit,
- Extend the operating loss carry-back deduction from two to five years,
- Cut taxes on IRAs to promote savings and investment.
