Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. letter to Mr. and Mrs. G., February 4, 2000

ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR. ASSISTANT DEPUTY MAJORITY WHIP Congress o! ttjc Urnteti States $o use of iRciircecntattoeg Ma2t)tngton, ©C 20515-2002 February 4, 2000 Dundalk, MD 21222 14101 284-6828 De< Thank you for contacting me regarding federal spending which favors the country and federal employees. I appreciate your support and benefit by knowing your views. Every year, Congress determines funding for discretionary spending, approximately one-third of the $1.7 trillion federal budget. Discretionary spending consists of thousands of programs controlled through the annual appropriations acts. The other two-thirds of the budget is mandatory spending, such as Medicare and Social Security, and interest on the national debt. When voting on appropriations legislation, I examine the federal government’s role in funding our nation’s needs. In today’s era of budget surpluses, I exercise fiscal restraint to set budget priorities which reduce the size and scope of the federal government as well as meet important needs of strengthening national defense, improving education, and saving Social Security and Medicare. In my view, this compassionate, fiscally responsible approach favors all Americans equally. In my view, the federal government should provide competitive salaries and packages to attract the best and brightest to public service. You will be pleased to know I supported the FY2000 Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act (P.L. 106-58) which included a 4.8% pay raise for federal civilian and military personnel. Once again, thank you for contacting me. If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to call me. Very truly yours, Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Member of Congress