Congress’ Spending Problem: A Call for Responsibility

The image of George Washington on the U.S. dollar bill serves as a reminder of the nation’s financial principles. Yet, a recent report from the Congressional Budget Office reveals that the federal government faces an unprecedented rise in debt over the next three decades.

Members of Congress from both parties are accountable for this spending issue. Their excessive expenditure of taxpayer money points to a bipartisan problem. Traditionally, Republicans claimed concern over spending, but this has waned during Trump’s administration. If Republicans maintain control of the House and Senate after the midterm elections, their spending habits may increase.

President Trump proposes a $5,000 handout for every adult. He has announced one-time payments of $90 for 20.8 million Medicare beneficiaries. Additionally, he began distributing $500 “refund” checks to individuals who purchased unsubsidized Affordable Care Act policies. Although some Republicans oppose Trump’s proposals, their actions remain uncertain if they retain congressional control. While Trump is a major spender, congressional Republicans have supported him over the past two years.

Democrats, though vocal against Republican spending, also struggled with fiscal responsibility when they held Congress under President Biden. During Biden’s last two years, the federal deficit was $1.70 trillion in 2023 and $1.83 trillion in 2024. Under Trump, it was $1.78 trillion in 2025 and may exceed $2 trillion by 2026. Passing a $5,000 handout in 2027 might increase the deficit beyond $3 trillion. Federal debt rose by $8 trillion during Biden’s term, with expanded pandemic spending. Trump’s first two years back in office saw an increase of nearly $4 trillion in debt.

Congress members now seek $46 billion in federal funding for 15,000 earmarks in the next budget. Requests range from cooking classes for prisoners, millions for a gaming facility, and around $13 million for horse-related projects, as stated by Open the Books.

Republicans might claim fiscal responsibility if Democrats gain congressional control. However, addressing spending issues only when in opposition doesn’t solve the problem. Congress requires intervention.

Here’s a proposed 12-step program, modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous, to aid Congress in confronting their spending issues:

1. Recognize the lack of control over spending.
2. Trust that voters can guide towards fiscal sanity.
3. Commit to constitutional spending limits.
4. Conduct a thorough moral inventory.
5. Confess the nature of spending faults to voters.
6. Seek to amend spending habits.
7. Ask voters for forgiveness.
8. List ways circumventing constitutional spending limits.
9. Make direct amends by cutting spending, not raising taxes.
10. Regularly review spending habits and promptly address overspending.
11. Engage in fiscal debates to foster prudent budgeting.
12. Encourage voters to intervene if overspending recurs.

Addressing congressional spending addiction won’t naturally resolve on its own. Elections provide an opportunity for necessary change. Taxpayers have the responsibility to demand congressional reform. Political pressure from voters can push Congress to address its spending addiction.

The task won’t be simple and will involve challenges for both the public and Congress members. Yet, pushing for fiscal reform is essential to correct Congress’s spendthrift behavior.

Merrill Matthews leads Our Republican Legacy as the Texas state chair. All content is protected under the copyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc.