Quigley, Loebsack and Renacci Call on Budget Conference Committee Co-Chairs to Proactively Implement Transparency Measures

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressmen Mike Quigley (IL-05), Dave Loebsack (IA-02) and Jim Renacci (OH-16) issued a bipartisan call for Rep. Paul Ryan (WI-01) and Sen. Patty Murray (WA), the Co-Chairs of the Budget Conference Committee, to proactively implement comprehensive transparency measures for the committee, which is tasked with developing a bipartisan budget agreement by December 13th.

According to press reports, after the Budget Conference Committee gave opening statements this morning, they plan to retreat behind closed doors to craft the blueprint. Implementing basic transparency measures will ensure the committee’s process and final products are free from the question of undue influence and special interest intervention. In 2011, Quigley, Loebsack and Renacci led the fight to ensure the so-called “Super Committee” was open and transparent.

“The Budget Conference Committee must be open and transparent to have any chance of restoring the public’s trust in government, which is at an all-time low. When it comes to the most important decisions impacting American families and our economy, a transparent process will empower taxpayers to be the government’s best watchdog and hold it accountable to the people it serves,” said Rep. Quigley.

“The discussion being had in this room will affect every Iowan and every American and our constituents have a right to know what plans are on the table,” said Rep. Loebsack. “Members of this Conference Committee will undoubtedly be under intense pressure from all sides to try and influence what is included in the final product. For the American people to have any amount of confidence in the final product, the process must be open and transparent.”

“At a time when we are facing a $17 trillion national debt, it is critical that members of the Budget Conference Committee take very seriously their task at hand,” said Rep. Renacci. “That includes ensuring that the process is transparent so that the people of Ohio’s 16th district and Americans everywhere may have confidence in their decisions as they ultimately will affect our families, small businesses, and struggling economy.”

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