In Washington, robust speak is affordable — however debt isn’t.
For years, Alabama’s representatives in U.S. Congress have branded themselves as fiscal conservatives. Most notably, Rep. Gary Palmer. He talks about waste, rails in opposition to bloated budgets, and warns of America’s unsustainable spending. However when the cameras are off and the votes are forged, the document tells a special story.
Palmer has repeatedly voted for payments that add trillions to our nationwide debt — not as a result of they serve the American folks, however as a result of they serve GOP management. He’s not alone on this behavior, however for somebody who claims to struggle for restricted authorities, the contradiction is tough to disregard.
Take the latest “Big Beautiful Bill.” In line with the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, the invoice might add over $3.1 trillion to the nationwide debt over the following decade — much more if key provisions are prolonged. Palmer’s committee — the Home Power and Commerce Committee — had an actual alternative to guide. Their job was simple: if Republicans have been going to increase tax reduction to People, they needed to make robust decisions to chop federal spending. However the committee selected the straightforward path. Quite than instantly curbing authorities development, they initially delayed key spending cuts for years.
Regardless of a handful of holdouts managing to speed up some cuts — with out Palmer’s assist, the invoice nonetheless provides a whole bunch of billions extra to the debt earlier than a single greenback is saved — if that day ever comes. We’ve seen this earlier than: promised cuts that quietly disappear as soon as the headlines fade.
This isn’t fiscal duty. It’s political comfort dressed up as management.
Look nearer, and the sample will get worse.
In 2024, Palmer voted in opposition to H.R. 2882 below President Biden, citing extreme spending. However only a yr later, he voted for H.R. 1968 below President Trump — a invoice that prolonged and even elevated the exact same spending ranges. The one factor that modified was the occasion in energy. That’s not conviction. That’s partisan loyalty on the expense of precept — and future generations.
And it’s not the primary time. Palmer has additionally voted for payments previously that made headlines for concentrating on Obamacare however did little or nothing to deal with the broader subject of presidency overspending. For all of the speak about repealing and changing, the fact is that Washington saved spending — and Palmer saved voting with them.
That is precisely why we want leaders who put folks over occasion. We didn’t select the Republican Celebration as a result of it has an “R” subsequent to its identify — we selected it due to the values it claimed to face for: restricted authorities, liberty, and duty. When occasion management veers from these values, it’s our obligation to stay with precept — not fall in line.
The nationwide debt grew by practically $8 trillion in Trump’s first time period. I hoped this time can be completely different. Nevertheless it’s beginning to really feel like we’re heading down the identical highway. And too many in Congress, together with Rep. Palmer, are nonetheless selecting to look the opposite method.
When authorities spending stays excessive and revenues drop, the deficit grows. And when deficits develop, so does the nationwide debt. That debt isn’t some summary quantity — it’s a delayed tax. It’s cash borrowed in our identify that our youngsters might be anticipated to repay. Increased rates of interest, fewer financial alternatives, and a diminished future for the following technology — that’s the actual value of this “tax reduction” with out self-discipline.
And now the rest of the world is noticing, too. At our newest 20-year Treasury public sale, international governments demanded rates of interest above 5 % — the best since 2023 — simply to maintain lending us cash. Why? As a result of they’re shedding confidence that Washington can handle its debt. They see the dysfunction, the infinite spending, and the refusal to make onerous decisions — they usually’re elevating the worth of our borrowing accordingly. When America’s credit score appears shaky, the world calls for a premium. That premium will get handed all the way down to households making an attempt to purchase houses, begin companies, or borrow for school.
This isn’t about opposing tax cuts. I consider in placing more cash again within the fingers of working People. However we are able to’t fake we’ve performed our job if we minimize taxes at present and ignore the results tomorrow. Actual conservatives don’t cross the invoice to their grandchildren.
Congressman Palmer has had practically a decade to match his rhetoric with motion. However again and again, he’s voted with occasion management and in opposition to fiscal actuality. He’s adopted the trail of least resistance, hoping his constituents wouldn’t discover the worth tag. However Alabama households are noticing. We really feel the squeeze each time costs rise, rates of interest climb, and our financial system grows extra fragile below the load of $36 trillion in debt.
We’re instructed that “now’s not the time” to chop spending. That “later” we’ll get severe concerning the debt. But when not now — when? If not when passing main tax reform — when? The reality is, too many in Congress don’t have any intention of ever tightening the belt. They’re comfy making speeches concerning the debt whereas voting to develop it.
We’d like one thing completely different.
We don’t want one other politician who performs it secure — we want somebody who tells the reality, votes with conviction, and solutions to the folks — not occasion bosses. We’d like leaders who perceive that conservatism means sacrifice, not slogans.
It’s time to carry the talkers accountable.
Our children don’t want extra debt. They want braveness. Alabama deserves a consultant who will lastly say no.
