Commentary

Drunken sailors in Congress

A new report from the National Taxpayers Union analyzes the actions of Congress in 2004 and finds big government on the march. A few highlights: In the Senate, each $1 saved from legislation that would reduce spending was overwhelmed by $18.16 in new spending. In the House, each $1 of savings proposed in legislation was swamped by $47.66 in spending increases. Just 11 House Members had net agendas to reduce spending, while 167 Representatives — nearly 40 percent of the House — compiled net agendas to increase spending by greater than $100 billion. Of these, 37 (36 Democrats and one Independent) had net agendas to increase spending by over $1 trillion. Only two Senators produced net agendas to reduce spending, while 27 Democrats and one Republican had net agendas to increase spending by greater than $100 billion.