Newhouse Demands Pelosi Reveal Price Tag of Massive Socialist Tax and Spending Spree

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) joined Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-CA) and members of the House Republican Conference in sending a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi demanding she postpone a vote on H.R. 5376, the Build Back Better Act, until the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) can assign a score to the bill and determine its costs and economic impacts.

"If you take a moment to look at the state of our country today, it's clear: we are in a time of crisis thanks to the extremist policies of President Biden and the Democrats in Congress," said Rep. Newhouse. "Now, the Biden Administration is doubling down with one of the most expansive socialist spending sprees this country has ever seen: the "Build Back Better" agenda."

Remarks as prepared are below:

"If you take a moment to look at the state of our country today, it's clear: we are in a time of crisis thanks to the extremist policies of President Biden and the Democrats in Congress.

Now, the Biden Administration is doubling down with one of the most expansive socialist spending sprees this country has ever seen: the "Build Back Better" agenda.

This legislation would be devastating for the men and women I represent in Central Washington who produce so much of the food and fiber that feeds our nation. And the worst part? We don't even know how much it will cost us in the long term. Talk about fiscal insanity.

Today, I stand with the members of the Republican Conference to call attention to this madness and ask that Speaker Pelosi do what's right: postpone the vote on a bill that will, quite literally, change the course of this country, until the Congressional Budget Office has had to opportunity to conduct an analysis on this legislation. It would be irresponsible for Members to vote on this bill before fully understanding the economic, fiscal, and tax implications this legislation will have.

Our national debt has already surpassed $28 trillion – to put that number in perspective, that's roughly 230 thousand dollars per taxpayer. Now, Speaker Pelosi and other Democratic leaders might have 230 thousand dollars just lying around, but most people—the vast majority of the people we all represent—don't.

We owe our children, grandchildren, and future generations a return to fiscal responsibility. That starts with legislating responsibly and thoughtfully, not just catering to the radicals in the Democratic Party."

The full text of the lawmakers' letter is here and below.

Dear Madam Speaker and Majority Leader Hoyer,

We write to you requesting you permit the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to fulfill its responsibility and publish a full cost estimate for the fiscal year 2022 reconciliation bill, H.R. 5376, the Build Back Better Act, before the House of Representatives considers and votes on this legislation.

For months, Congress has been engaged in ongoing debate about what will be included in the reconciliation bill and its overall cost. While we the undersigned have serious concerns with the portions of the bill that we have seen, certainly we should all be able to agree that Members of Congress should have a full accounting of how this bill will impact spending, deficits, and debt now and in the future. To date, CBO has provided estimates for less than ten percent of the bill reported by the Budget Committee. Based on the available estimates, three authorizing committees have exceeded their respective reconciliation targets.

As we approach the end of the year without having completed the annual appropriations process as well as facing a looming debt ceiling cliff, it would be unconscionable to commit to the purported trillions of dollars that the reconciliation bill might cost without knowing its true price tag. Given that the price of this bill makes it the most expensive piece of legislation in American history, it is imperative Members of Congress are not asked to vote on it until a full cost estimate is available for their review. The Administration claims that the plan will add nothing to the federal deficit. Given the policies that may or may not be included in the final package at this point, we find that difficult to believe. According to some estimates, the current form of the reconciliation bill would add as much as $3 trillion to our national debt, which already sits at more than $28 trillion.

Our nation is also experiencing record levels of inflation, and many economists cite increased federal spending as a root cause. Inflation is on pace to exceed 7 percent this year – the highest it's been in forty years. Americans are facing increased costs for everyday necessities – gas prices are up 58 percent, meat prices are up 14.5 percent, clothing prices are up 10.5 percent, and coffee prices are up 6.1 percent. All Americans are experiencing this inflation crisis, particularly working-class families. As Congress considers spending trillions more of American taxpayer dollars, then as stewards of the public trust we should not commit to do so until a full accounting of this legislation's potential fiscal impact is available, both in the short and over the long term.

Giving the CBO time to provide Congress with this critical analysis will ensure we know the potential impact of this legislation before making this critical decision. Allowing the CBO to do its job before a vote on this legislation will help answer these questions. Both the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 and House Rule XIII require a formal score of this bill prior to House consideration. It would be both imprudent and a disservice to Congress and the American people to ignore these requirements given the broad scope and reported cost of this legislation.

We thank you for your consideration of this request and hope you will give Congress and the American people a chance to know what the reconciliation bill will cost before voting on it.

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