Ted Yoho: “My amendment is simply a commonsense measure to help reduce the size of out-of-control Federal departments that continue…”

“My amendment is simply a commonsense measure to help reduce the size of out-of-control Federal departments that continue to grow annually unchecked, increasing both scope, size, and increasing our spending, both discretionary and mandatory. Our Nation is over $19 trillion in debt--let me repeat that--$19 trillion in debt. This Chamber, us, we, the people, in government, or Members of the people's House in charge of the taxpayers' purse strings, must start taking action to actively reduce our expenditures. I appreciate the chairman and ranking member for their hard work on this bill. But I am concerned that the cost it will place on the American people is too great. We can do better and we must do better. This amendment is offered as a modest solution and establishes a 5 percent across-the-board cut to the Department of Energy's total employees. In the private sector, when scrambling to cover your costs, you have to make decisions, including sometimes the elimination of positions that are not essential to the overall purpose and mission of the organization, or you simply can't afford it. Not only is reducing the current size of the Department's full-time staff essential, but I think it also should be accompanied by a 1-year hiring freeze.…”