The looming government shutdown has bested many politicians over the years, but Speaker of the House of Representatives John Johnson is hoping to break the cycle. In a press conference on Monday, Johnson introduced a plan that seeks to avoid the shutdown while protecting the country’s fiscal integrity.
Johnson’s proposal features several components targeted at preventing a possible government shutdown and staving off a fiscal disaster. The centerpiece of the plan is to raise government spending but implement stringent oversight and accountability measures for the spending process.
Specifically, Johnson proposed increasing spending limits, consistent with inflation, but also instituting a strict “pay-as-you-go” policy for all government expenditures. This policy would be in the form of mandatory budget reviews that require all spending programs to be closely examined to make sure they are in line with their budgetary constraints.
Additionally, Johnson proposed utilizing deficit reduction policies which would seek to reduce the federal deficit over time. This would include caps on certain government programs, targeted tax incentives, and incentives for private sector job growth.
Ultimately, Johnson wants to ensure that the country can prevent a possible government shutdown while still avoiding a fiscal monster. In his press conference, he stated that this plan would “ensure a sensible balance between fiscal responsibility and economic growth.”
Johnson’s proposal is proof that he’s serious about preventing a government shutdown and protecting the country from a fiscal disaster. It remains to be seen if his plan will gain traction with other politicians, but it does signify that great strides are being made towards a fiscal goal of stability.