Dear Senator,

On behalf of more than 1.7 million Americans for Prosperity (AFP) activists in all 50 states, I urge you to remember the free market grassroots movement as you vote on a continuing resolution to fund the federal government for the remainder of FY2011. The House-passed H.R. 1, which cuts $57 billion from current levels, is a small but important step toward restoring fiscal balance.

I urge you to vote Yes on H.R. 1, a bill making appropriations for the remainder of FY2011 with a $57 billion cut from current levels. AFP will rate this vote in our congressional ratings.

We are more than halfway through the fiscal year, and the federal government still does not have a budget or an appropriations process established for FY2011. This is an irresponsible and unacceptable abdication of congressional responsibility. One of the primary functions of the Legislative Branch is to manage the nation’s finances. Last Congress, the Democratic Party was in control of both chambers and for the first time in modern history failed to pass a budget. It is because of this failure that the current Congress is still working on the continuing resolution.

H.R. 1 cuts a modest $57 billion for the remainder of the fiscal year. This reduction is less than 2 percent of the federal budget and by itself will not solve the budget crisis. However, this continuing resolution is an opportunity for senators to demonstrate that they take their responsibility to reduce spending seriously. If the Senate cannot agree to $57 billion in cuts, how can it take on the broader spending reforms to entitlement programs, defense spending and discretionary areas?

Furthermore, H.R. 1 contains numerous important riders that clarify that the Executive Branch is not authorized to implement regulations without congressional instruction. By defunding the EPA’s attempt to regulate greenhouse gases and defunding the FCC’s attempt to regulate the Internet, H.R. 1 ensures that neither of these agencies can hijack existing statutes to accomplish elements of the Obama administration’s agenda that Congress has not approved.

I urge you to vote Yes on H.R. 1. AFP will rate this vote in our congressional ratings.

Sincerely,

James Valvo
Director of Government Affairs
Americans for Prosperity

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