Like Causes?

Install the App
TRY NOW
Countable Is Officially Causes.com

senate Bill S. 2182

Capping Federal Spending and Balancing the Budget

Argument in favor

Indexing federal spending to the size of the U.S. economy without cutting Social Security, Medicare, or military benefits is a great way to reduce spending and balance the budget. An amendment like this is the only way to restrain Congress' spending.

Loraki's Opinion
···
11/24/2015
It's the sensible thing to do! It is sheer insanity for the government to go on pretending that our national debt is no big deal! Unfortunately, a lot of Americans are in roughly the same financial situation. Governments (especially Obama) and individuals are like spoiled children, insisting on the instant gratification of all their wants, while lying to themselves that those wants are really needs. One of the consequences of this mindset is that parents for many years have bought into the idea of keeping up with the Joneses, and the idea that it was necessary for BOTH parents to work, largely leaving the raising of their children to daycare centers and public schools. This created the perfect opportunity for the enemies of America to indoctrinate generations of children. Now we have millions of brainwashed Americans, who are barely able to think for themselves! It's time to bring some sanity, maturity and responsible decision-making back to managing the federal government's budget!
Like (16)
Follow
Share
BTSundra's Opinion
···
11/25/2015
Let's choose a budget and stick with it. We're sick and tired of the debt ceiling being perpetually raised, and it's time to pay it off.
Like (13)
Follow
Share
LibertyForAll's Opinion
···
11/29/2015
Wake up and understand that the cause of Americans woes is directly correlated to our Unconstitutional Federal Government! Rand Pauls plan is by far the most comprehensive and direct plan to give our children a more free, independent and promising life than we've had.
Like (11)
Follow
Share

Argument opposed

There are too many spending priorities outside of entitlement programs and military benefits that would be woefully underfunded if federal spending was capped. This amendment will either lead to significant tax hikes or draconian spending cuts.

AndrewGVN's Opinion
···
11/30/2015
We need to be addressing tax loopholes and other tactics corporations are using to avoid huge amounts of taxes that could add billions of dollars in government revenue. Balancing suggests cuts in essential programs. It doesn't make since to increase military funding while "balancing" the budget. If you want a more balanced budget, THEN STOP INCREASING THE MILITARY BUDGET, ADDRESS TAX LOOPHOLES, AND REGULATE WALL STREET.
Like (18)
Follow
Share
Kristine 's Opinion
···
11/27/2015
Only if it means reducing the military and eliminating tax loop holes and increasing tax on corporations and billionaires
Like (12)
Follow
Share
David's Opinion
···
11/26/2015
Economically, balancing the budget is poor fiscal policy. In a boom it exacerbates, in a recession it deepens the bust. Fiscal policy should do just the opposite.
Like (5)
Follow
Share

What is Senate Bill S. 2182?

This bill would impose spending limits on the federal budget for all expenditures except Social Security, Medicare, military pay, veterans’ benefits, and interest paid on the debt. For fiscal year 2016, this bills aims to rack up $207 billion in spending reductions.

Beginning in fiscal year 2021, federal spending would be capped at 18 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the U.S. economy. It would gradually decrease to that level from a cap of 19.9 percent in fiscal year 2016 at a rate of about 0.4 percent per year.

Each year the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) would determine spending limits for each fiscal year. After fiscal year 2021, federal spending would remained capped at 18 percent going forward.

All future debt limit increases would be prevented until a balanced budget amendment has been passed by Congress and sent to the states for ratification.

Impact

Taxpayers, anyone who benefits from or helps execute federal services, federal agencies and programs, and the OMB.

Cost of Senate Bill S. 2182

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

More Information

In-Depth: Sponsoring Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced this bill to change the trajectory of federal spending in the U.S. which he views as unsustainable:

“Bold action is needed to address our nation’s debt crisis — our national debt currently stands at $18.4 trillion. We cannot keep piling debt on top of debt forever.”

Federal spending as a percentage of GDP has remained relatively constant over the last three decades, fluctuating between 19.7 percent of GDP in 1975 and a high of 24.4 percent in 2010 — and was at 20.2 percent in 2014. When the economy is in a recession, the percentage rises because there are more people relying on federal safety net programs, leading to an increase in spending, but when the economy recovers the percentage falls.

During the 113th Congress, Republicans introduced a similar bill to cap federal spending over time and require the budget to be in balance thereafter. The American Enterprise Institute discussed the proposal, and found that it would be a challenge to keep spending below 21 percent due to the aging of the U.S. population necessitating spending on Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.


Media:

Summary by Eric Revell
(Photo Credit: Flickr user HomeSpot HQ)

AKA

Cut, Cap, and Balance Act of 2015

Official Title

A bill to cut, cap, and balance the Federal budget.

bill Progress

  • Not enacted
    The President has not signed this bill
  • The house has not voted
  • The senate has not voted
    IntroducedOctober 19th, 2015
    Loraki's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    11/24/2015
    It's the sensible thing to do! It is sheer insanity for the government to go on pretending that our national debt is no big deal! Unfortunately, a lot of Americans are in roughly the same financial situation. Governments (especially Obama) and individuals are like spoiled children, insisting on the instant gratification of all their wants, while lying to themselves that those wants are really needs. One of the consequences of this mindset is that parents for many years have bought into the idea of keeping up with the Joneses, and the idea that it was necessary for BOTH parents to work, largely leaving the raising of their children to daycare centers and public schools. This created the perfect opportunity for the enemies of America to indoctrinate generations of children. Now we have millions of brainwashed Americans, who are barely able to think for themselves! It's time to bring some sanity, maturity and responsible decision-making back to managing the federal government's budget!
    Like (16)
    Follow
    Share
    AndrewGVN's Opinion Against
    ···
    11/30/2015
    We need to be addressing tax loopholes and other tactics corporations are using to avoid huge amounts of taxes that could add billions of dollars in government revenue. Balancing suggests cuts in essential programs. It doesn't make since to increase military funding while "balancing" the budget. If you want a more balanced budget, THEN STOP INCREASING THE MILITARY BUDGET, ADDRESS TAX LOOPHOLES, AND REGULATE WALL STREET.
    Like (18)
    Follow
    Share
    BTSundra's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    11/25/2015
    Let's choose a budget and stick with it. We're sick and tired of the debt ceiling being perpetually raised, and it's time to pay it off.
    Like (13)
    Follow
    Share
    Kristine 's Opinion Against
    ···
    11/27/2015
    Only if it means reducing the military and eliminating tax loop holes and increasing tax on corporations and billionaires
    Like (12)
    Follow
    Share
    LibertyForAll's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    11/29/2015
    Wake up and understand that the cause of Americans woes is directly correlated to our Unconstitutional Federal Government! Rand Pauls plan is by far the most comprehensive and direct plan to give our children a more free, independent and promising life than we've had.
    Like (11)
    Follow
    Share
    David's Opinion Against
    ···
    11/26/2015
    Economically, balancing the budget is poor fiscal policy. In a boom it exacerbates, in a recession it deepens the bust. Fiscal policy should do just the opposite.
    Like (5)
    Follow
    Share
    Gary's Opinion Against
    ···
    11/26/2015
    Make corporations and the 1 per cent actually pay their taxes.
    Like (4)
    Follow
    Share
    Bfallen07's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    11/26/2015
    We must balance our budget, the only people with jobs are government employees and the rest us get what is left over unless we are connected to the powers lobbyists in Washington!
    Like (4)
    Follow
    Share
    Eric's Opinion Against
    ···
    12/02/2015
    If the gop/libertarians really see wanted to balance the budget they'd cut military and corporate welfare not vital services for ordinary people. They're nothing but hypocrites and corporate shills.
    Like (2)
    Follow
    Share
    Christian's Opinion Against
    ···
    08/09/2016
    This implies cutting essential programs instead of going after tax dodging corporations and individuals. Make them pay
    Like (2)
    Follow
    Share
    annette's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    10/01/2016
    That is an odd question. Make it so.
    Like (2)
    Follow
    Share
    Ruth's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    01/08/2017
    Certainly do not want money spent on construction of border wall.
    Like (2)
    Follow
    Share
    Jim2423's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    11/25/2015
    Well it is about time. Some things need to happen.
    Like (2)
    Follow
    Share
    operaman's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    11/24/2015
    If I need a budget, so should the Federal Government. If my credit card limits my spending, likewise it should affect our over spending government. Only extremely rich people never worries about their spending. And let's face the fact that our Federal Government is broke and still signs loans guaranteed to bankrupt the taxpayers for multiple future decades. Looks like anything I leave my children will only pay my funeral costs. If you vote DimocRat, you have already kissed your ass goodbye.
    Like (2)
    Follow
    Share
    Mac's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    11/24/2015
    This shouldn't exclude the mentioned areas. These are one of the largest areas of issue.
    Like (2)
    Follow
    Share
    Jewel's Opinion Against
    ···
    11/25/2015
    That would mean cutting services that people desperately need. We need to make more people pay their fair share of taxes.
    Like (2)
    Follow
    Share
    Sue's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    06/13/2016
    I have to live within my income, so should the government. Start by cutting Congressional pay, let them live within the median income of their state.
    Like (2)
    Follow
    Share
    Don's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    11/28/2015
    Isn't it a shame that I have to say anything?
    Like (2)
    Follow
    Share
    ark4162's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    11/25/2015
    Absolutely. 0 base budgeting, audit every single governmetn agancy from top to bottom and streamline them. I bet we can pay for everything the government is paying for now for 2/3 the actual dollar ammount we're spending.
    Like (1)
    Follow
    Share
    PieceKeepr's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    11/28/2015
    Federal spending should be cut drastically and deeply. There are numerous programs and agencies that could be cut and very few people would miss them.
    Like (1)
    Follow
    Share
    MORE