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Congressman Chaffetz warns Utah senators about federal debt, urges local engagement on public lands
Summary
Congressman Chaffetz told the Utah Senate on Jan. 30, 2013, that federal fiscal discipline is his top concern, warned of large daily interest costs and urged county-level involvement on public-lands policy while answering senators’ questions about sequestration and federal funding.
Congressman Chaffetz told the Utah State Senate on Jan. 30 that the absence of fiscal discipline in Washington, D.C., remains his “number 1 concern.” Speaking in a Committee of the Whole, he cited the national debt and rising interest costs as drivers that make difficult spending choices unavoidable.
“Not a single person in the House or Senate, Republican or Democrat, has ever voted in favor of a positive budget in the last two years,” Chaffetz said, describing what he called a broken process and noting that first-quarter spending had risen about 16 percent. He warned that large entitlement growth was “eating us” and said sequestration was looming, adding that some cuts must not fall disproportionately on the Department of Defense.
Senators pressed him for specifics on what sequestration would mean for Utah programs and whether the state should accept federal dollars that attach strings. Chaffetz said accepting federal funds typically binds recipients to federal rules and replied that while he would personally prefer states make their own choices, the practical effect of federal aid is to impose federal requirements. “If you take the money, you’re gonna probably have to pay by the federal rules,” he said.
Chaffetz also discussed oversight priorities, including responses to attacks on U.S. diplomatic posts overseas. In response to a question about Benghazi and congressional oversight, he said the work should be nonpartisan and focused on learning from mistakes so U.S. embassies and consulates are better protected. He expressed confidence in Utah’s military families and praised the state’s National Guard service members.
On public-lands issues, Chaffetz said the best chance for durable federal legislation is broad, bipartisan engagement that includes county commissioners and local stakeholders. He cited Emery County as an example of proactive local engagement and said the model—if bipartisan—might be workable in Congress.
The visit concluded after an extended question-and-answer session. The Senate then dissolved the Committee of the Whole and resumed regular business.
