Florida Republican Congressman Vern Buchanans bill to open up the bicameral "supercomittee," tasked under the recent federal debt-ceiling deal to cut spending, received some conservative support Wednesday when the National Taxpayers Union (NTU) backed the bill.
The NTU, which has been fighting for decades for lower taxes and smaller government, has sent letters to all members of Congress urging them to back Buchanans bill, which is sponsored by U.S. Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., in the Senate.
"The issues with which the Select Committee on Deficit Reduction will be dealing have the potential to affect far too many lives and wallets to be handled behind closed doors," the NTU insisted in the letter. "NTU encourages you to work toward passage of HR 2796, which would ensure that the committee's work is conducted in a transparent and accessible manner."
Buchanan weighed in on the importance of his measure and the need for the public to have access to the committee, which is in charge of cutting $1.2 trillion in federal spending over the next decade.
"This is a pivotal point in our nation's history," said Buchanan. "In the past, massive legislative measures have been written in the middle of the night by a handful of members and staff, and then quickly passed into law before the American people have a chance to even see what the final version looks like, let alone determine how they feel about it. This is not acceptable."
Heller has been active in the Senate urging his Nevada colleague Majority Leader Harry Reid to push his measure through the Democratic-controlled chamber.Heller has been joined in the fight by five of his Republican colleagues -- Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, John Boozman of Arkansas, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Mike Lee of Utah and David Vitter of Louisiana.
On Tuesday, Heller welcomed the support of the NTU for his legislation.
Im pleased to welcome NTUs effective grass-roots advocates in our efforts to push for open and transparent meetings, said Heller. The supercommittee is responsible for making historic decisions that will affect Americans for years to come. Opening the process to the American people is an important step to creating a workable plan that will address our budget crisis and set the foundation to restore confidence in our economy. Congressional leadership and the supercommittee should listen to the growing calls for a process that is open and accountable to the public.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
