Gregg Harper’s mid-session review
Dear Friend,
I hope you and your family are doing well and are gearing up for your favorite college football team’s opening game this weekend. Before you head to the stadium and I catch a plane back to Washington, I wanted to share some startling spending figures from the Obama Administration that will impact Mississippi and America.
MID-SESSION REVIEW
As a freshman Member of the House Committee on the Budget, I believe now more than ever we need to put a stop to the chaotic deficit spending in Washington. Recently, the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released updated economic and budgetary projections which provide harsh evidence of the Democrats’ spending binge.
When the 111th Congress convened in January, President Obama and Congressional Democrats promised fiscal responsibility. Now, after eight misleading months, America is learning directly from the White House that the federal deficit will soar to nearly $1.6 trillion this year alone.
The Mid-Session Review was released on August 25, 2009 and is an annual economic and budget forecast provided by the President. This year’s numbers reveal disturbing figures with the OMB estimating that the ten-year deficit will reach $9.05 trillion or a 27 percent increase over the White House’s original estimate of $7.1 trillion. The 2009 deficit is projected to reach $1.58 trillion alone, more than tripling last year’s deficit of $459 billion. According to The Heritage Foundation, more than 43 cents of every dollar Washington spends in 2009 will have been borrowed.
These deficits are driven by an increase in government spending. The OMB and CBO forecast that the increase in federal spending over the next ten years could range from 2.7 percent 6 percent even without the President’s proposed $1 trillion government health care reform. This year alone, the President and the Pelosi-led Democratic controlled Congress have passed a $408 billion fiscal year 2009 omnibus appropriations bill and a $787 billion so-called “stimulus” package. This has resulted in a 22 percent spending increase for 2009 which represents the largest government expansion since1952 at the height of the Korean War.
Also, jobless figures are significantly higher than the President’s analysis earlier this year. The OMB predicts that unemployment will average 9.3 percent in 2009 and peak at 9.8 percent in 2010. However, the nonpartisan CBO expects this figure to reach an average of 10.2 percent for 2010, a number that far exceeds the President’s expectations of 5.2 percent 8.1 percent as a result of the so-called “stimulus” package.
Americans expect better than more taxes for more government spending and less jobs – and they deserve it. The majority of jobs in Mississippi and our country are created by small businesses. This is why Congress must begin to allow families and small businesses to keep more of what they earn instead of continuing with this trend of explosive government spending.
MSU FOOTBALL
On Saturday, September 5th, the Mississippi State Bulldogs will welcome new head football coach, Dan Mullen, to Davis Wade Stadium as they kick off their 2009 season. When the Bulldogs take the field at 2:30 p.m. against the Jackson State Tigers, a record breaking 40,000 season ticket holders will pack the stadium. This achievement is evidence of the hard work and dedication of the alumni and the director of athletics, Greg Byrne.
Good luck to all of the athletes, coaches and support staff of both teams on Saturday and I hope to see you in the Junction.
IN THE NEWS
While I have been home during recess, I have had the opportunity to visit with several newspapers’ editorial boards across the Third Congressional District. I would like to share with you the article below from the Laurel Leader-Call that covers health care, energy and other issues that will undoubtedly affect the Third Congressional District.
Harper talks healthcare to immigration
Yesterday, I joined host Bill Hemmer on FOX News Channel to discuss the future of the health care legislation after the President announced he will address a joint session of Congress. To view the video clip online, click on the link I have provided below.
Congressman Gregg Harper Joins Bill Hemmer on America’s Newsroom
Thanks again for your support. I am honored to represent you in Congress. If I can ever be of assistance, please do not hesitate to visit my website listed below or contact one of my offices.
God bless,
Gregg Harper
Member of Congress
9/4/9
Magnolia Tribune
