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While some Republican lawmakers lobby for deep, sweeping cuts to reduce a huge federal deficit, U.S. Rep. Mark Critz is urging caution.
In a “telephone town hall” session Tuesday evening, the Johnstown Democrat said he worries about negative impacts on the 12th district’s most-vulnerable citizens.
“I don’t support governmentwide slashing simply for the sake of slashing (expenses),” Critz said.
Rather, the congressman said he supports “doing the smart thing” and examining each proposed spending reduction individually.
Critz’s comments came a day after President Barack Obama released his proposed fiscal year 2012 budget. While Obama said he made some “hard choices” in light of the country’s economic woes, Republicans immediately argued that the budget did not go far enough to curtail spending.
Critz does not deny that cutbacks are needed.
“I don’t think anyone disagrees that we could be more efficient,” he said.
At the same time, the congressman said he was concerned about initiatives such as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Obama’s budget reportedly cuts LIHEAP by nearly half, and Critz said Republicans also have proposed downsizing the program.
“We have a lot of people that rely on these programs because oil is so expensive,” he said.
“Certainly, we don’t want to hurt the people who need help the most.”
Critz also expressed concerns about a GOP plan that he said could result in 200,000 federal employees losing their jobs.
“I’m very concerned about the depths of some of these cuts,” he said.
Tuesday’s telephone conference was offered to constituents in Cambria, Fayette and Greene counties. Critz took eight questions before he was called away to a House vote.
A variety of issues were covered, including:
• Tax breaks: Critz said he reluctantly supported a continuation of tax cuts for the wealthy because programs and tax breaks for the middle class “were held hostage” in the debate.
“We think we got the best that we could get out of this package,” he said.
• Trade imbalances: The congressman said “there is a difference between free trade and fair trade,” adding that he wants American companies to be able to compete on a level playing field.
He said he is a member of a trade group studying currency issues and trade agreements between the U.S. and China.
“Unfortunately, none of this is short-term,” Critz said.
• Social Security: Critz said he will continue to oppose any effort to privatize the program, saying such a move would jeopardize benefits.
Critz also said officials must find a way to make Social Security viable for the long term.
“This is something that we have to protect,” he said.
• Abortion: In response to a question about outlawing the procedure, Critz said that would have to be taken up in the courts.
“It is a legal issue,” he said.
But Critz reiterated that he strongly opposes abortion and has supported measures ensuring that “the American public is not paying for any abortions with their tax dollars.”
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Critz File Photo/The Tribune-Democrat
Discussion
Critz’s concern
Congressman worries about impact of proposed cuts
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