As we celebrate Thanksgiving and look forward to the upcoming holiday season, many families are looking for creative ways to spend less or make their hard-earned dollars go further.  Since turkey prices are higher this year, they may choose to buy a smaller one or perhaps cut back on the number of side dishes they prepare.  Since the cost of electricity is rising in some areas, families may decide to forego or scale back on their outdoor holiday decorations.  They make these decisions because most families have a budget and live within it.  There is no reason why our federal government shouldn’t be operating this way as well.

For far too long, the federal government has not been following this practice; this practice of setting a budget based on available resources and following it.  Our national debt has grown from $8.6 trillion in 2007 to over $18 trillion today.  While families bear the responsibility of balancing their checkbooks to live within their means, Washington continues to spend money that it simply does not have.  As an accountant and small business owner, I know from experience that this needs to change. 

In the House of Representatives, the Budget Committee is tasked with this duty of balancing our budget.  It is also responsible for setting spending levels, revenue levels, the surplus or deficit levels, and the public debt.  The Committee exists to make tough decisions now, so the costs of our inaction are not passed down to our children and grandchildren.  I am honored that now - in addition to continuing my work on the influential Ways and Means Committee - I will also serve on this powerful Budget Committee to help bring Washington’s finances back on track, and provide Ohioans with a stronger voice regarding how their money is spent.

As someone who considers myself a businessman rather than a politician, I look forward to use my business experience to work with both sides of the aisle to balance our budget, reign in our nation’s debt, and continue to grow our economy.  Things need to change here in Washington and I look forward to being a leader of that change on behalf of Ohioans and the American people.

If you need any additional information, please visit my website at renacci.house.gov or call my Washington office: (202) 225-3876, Wadsworth office: (330) 334-0040, or Parma office: (440) 882-6779.  If you have a concern about your VA claim, please contact my Wadsworth office and I will inquire about your claim.  I also encourage you to subscribe to my Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube pages to get updates on my work in Washington and the 16th District.