U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., received another high-profile assignment on Wednesday when he was named to the House Budget Committee.
With his new assignment, Buchanan becomes the third member of the Florida delegation on the committee, joining U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., and U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla. Buchanan is staying at his post on the House Ways and Means Committee where he is Floridas sole representative on that body.
"I ran for Congress because I wanted to leave a better America for the next generation," said Buchanan. "Washington's irresponsible spending policies have created a mountain of debt for our children and grandchildren.
Buchanan won the praise of U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., currently the chairman of Ways and Means and a past chairman of the Budget Committee, on Wednesday.
Vern knows better than anybody how important it is to balance a budget and protect seniors in retirement, and hell be an important voice on the committee, Ryan said.
U.S. Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., the chairman of the Budget Committee, welcomed the Florida congressman on board.
As the House Budget Committee is working to advance policies to address our nations fiscal and economic challenges, Congressman Buchanan will be an invaluable part of this team effort, Price said. I appreciate him joining the committee as we work to advance positive, responsible solutions.
As a businessman for over 30 years, I know what it means to balance a budget and meet a payroll, Buchanan said. I look forward to joining Chairman Price and the other committee members as we work to grow the economy, create jobs, and reduce the massive federal deficit."
Buchanans first proposal in Congress was for a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution and he said on Wednesday that he would continue to fight for fiscal conservatism. The Florida congressman said he planned to support the Republican House budget plan which balances the budget after a nine-year period, though much of its $5.6 trillion in savings relies upon the repeal of President Barack Obama's federal health-care law which simply won't happen with the current administration in power.
First elected to Congress in 2006, Buchanans name has surfaced as a possible candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2016 if U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., chooses to run for the presidency instead of a second term.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
