WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.), who serves on the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations and the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, released the following statement marking Tax Day:
“As Americans mark Tax Day today, the Democrats’ election-year agenda continues to threaten taxpayers with more of the same higher taxes, wasteful government spending, and economic uncertainty that has discouraged job creation for far too long in the Obama economy.
“With household income down $3,000 on President Obama’s watch and the labor force participation rate at its lowest level since the Jimmy Carter-era, it’s clear the Democrats’ failed economic policies continue to hurt middle-class families and workers in America.
“Hardworking American taxpayers deserve better from their government, and I’ll keep fighting to cut waste, start spending tax dollars more wisely, and make Washington more accountable to the people we work for.”
Blunt has introduced and co-sponsored a number of measures to make the federal government more accountable to American taxpayers, including:
Taxpayer Right to Know Act: In March, Blunt co-sponsored the bipartisan “Taxpayer Right to Know Act” as part of his efforts to strengthen government accountability. The bill, which was introduced by U.S. Senator Tom Coburn (Okla.) and is co-sponsored by more than 20 additional Senators, increases transparency in Washington by requiring agencies to provide taxpayers with an annual report card for each of its programs.
Regulatory Improvement Act: Blunt and U.S. Senator Angus King (Maine) introduced the “Regulatory Improvement Act,” bipartisan legislation to streamline, consolidate, and repeal onerous and costly government regulations. The bill would direct Congress to create a “Regulatory Improvement Commission,” which would collect broad public input regarding which regulations are outdated, duplicative, or inefficient. To read more, click here.
Citizen Empowerment Act: Blunt introduced the “Citizen Empowerment Act” to restore Americans’ trust in government by expanding provisions that allow individuals to record conversations with executive agency employees. Blunt filed the bill after it was revealed that Internal Revenue Service (IRS) officials admitted to targeting conservative organizations and other Americans. To read more, click here.
Stop Targeting of Political Beliefs by the IRS Act: Blunt co-sponsored the “Stop Targeting of Political Beliefs by the IRS Act,” which was introduced by U.S. Senators Jeff Flake (Ariz.) and Pat Roberts (Kan.) and is co-sponsored by 39 additional Senators. The bill protects the free-speech rights of 501(c)(4) organizations by prohibiting for one year the finalization of a proposed Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulation that would significantly limit the advocacy and educational activities of these groups.
REINS Act: Blunt co-sponsored the “Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act,” which was introduced by U.S. Senator Rand Paul (Ky.). The REINS Act would require Congress to approve every new major rule proposed by the executive branch, which has an annual economic impact of $100 million or more, before it can be enforced on the American people. To read more, click here.
Government Employee Accountability Act: Blunt introduced the “Government Employee Accountability Act” to give executive agencies the ability to effectively deal with Senior Executive Service (SES) employees, and provide Congress with more oversight.