WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) today filed an amendment to the disaster supplemental aid package that would require future disaster relief funding to fall within statutory budget limits. The amendment would be effective in two years, allowing Congress appropriate time to budget for future emergencies. The text of his amendment is available here.
“In the past 5 years, we’ve spent more than $41 billion beyond existing spending limits on natural disasters. It’s time for Congress to start planning ahead for natural disasters by including funding for them in the annual budget process, instead of busting our spending limits and adding to our skyrocketing national debt,” Romney said. “By including funding for disaster relief in the annual budget, my plan will make sure we live within our means instead of running up the government’s credit card.”
Background:
Last year alone, Congress spent more than $12 billion beyond the discretionary spending limits on natural disasters. In the past five years, Congress has spent more than $41 billion beyond the discretionary spending limits on natural disasters.