I interviewed Congressman Connie Mack (R-FL), via telephone, about his new “Mack Penny Plan,” which is gaining considerable support from both House and Senate Republicans, and even some Democrats.
Congressman Connie Mack did not vote to raise the debt ceiling before the August recess. He was looking for a long-term solution to the nation’s deficits, which are leading to unsustainable debt.
After working with some grass-roots groups, Mr. Mack designed the “One Percent Spending Reduction Act,” or, the “Mack Penny Plan,” which, he says, will cut and cap federal spending, and balance the federal budget in eight years.
In short, the “Mack Penny Plan” would:
• Cut federal spending by 1% each year for 6 years
• Cap spending at 18% of GDP in the 7th year
• Balance the federal budget in the 8th year
• Save taxpayers $7.5 trillion over 10 years
“What’s different about this plan,” the Florida congressman says, “is that it’s pretty simple. We freeze spending at the 2011 level- about $3.6 trillion- and cut 1% of spending for six years- that’s one penny out of every dollar. Everyone has had to cut at least one penny out of every dollar, whether in family or business budgets, so that’s not too hard for the federal government to do.”
According to Congressman Mack, the 1% spending cuts would be made in both mandatory and discretionary spending, and would be realized in either of two ways: 1) Congress and the President work together to enact program reforms and cut federal spending by 1% each year; or 2) If Congress and the President fail to do so, the bill triggers automatic, across-the- board spending cuts to ensure the 1% spending reduction is achieved.
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Congressman Mack emphasizes that the spending cuts apply to entitlement programs as well. When asked about Obamacare, however, he states that his hope is that the new healthcare law will be repealed. “We have a president who is still in denial about the failure of his policies,” he comments.
Mr. Mack’s plan is gaining support in both the House and Senate. It also has the endorsement of some grass-roots organizations such as FreedomWorks. “It’s picking up steam,” he says. “Right now we have about 60 co-sponsors in the House and seven in the Senate. Ultimately, I hope this bill will be part of another C.R. [continuing resolution].”
But, it’s not just Republicans who are looking positively at the “Mack Penny Plan.” Former Special Counsel to President Clinton, Democrat Lanny Davis is encouraging lawmakers to consider it seriously. According to Mr. Davis, Mr. Mack’s plan does not appear to be as “draconian” as other plans, in that only 1% is cut each year, and that defense spending is included in the cuts. And while Mr. Davis admits that, as a liberal Democrat, he would prefer the plan to include a revenue-raising component, he urges fellow Democrats to consider the plan as a starting point.
A man of conviction and strong conservative principles, Congressman Mack is not afraid to go his own way, even if his party is going in a different direction. Regarding the recent vote to raise the debt ceiling, Mr. Mack says, “I’m not surprised we were downgraded with the raise of the debt ceiling. If we continue to spend $1.6 trillion more than we bring in, we are still borrowing money which contributes to our debt. We can’t continue to do this.” In addition, he says he has “lots of problems” with a “Super Congress” committee deciding on federal spending cuts.
Mr. Mack is also not fond of political doublespeak, words and catch-phrases that are designed to confuse the American people. “There’s a difference between a ‘cut’ and a reduction in the rate of growth,” he says. He makes clear that he is interested in “real spending cuts, not fantasy cuts.”
Asked if he considers himself to be aligned with the Tea Party, Congressman Mack says, “I am not apologetic about the need to cut spending. If the Tea Party is about reducing our spending, then sign me up.”
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