I believe that if families in the Inland Empire have to adhere to a budget and make difficult decisions, the federal government should have to as well. Budget deficits and a growing federal debt could hurt the U.S. economy and constrain future policy priorities. However, we cannot simply impose arbitrary cuts in order to reign in the federal budget, and our budget cannot be balanced on the backs of the middle class or the poor. I served in the California legislature during the recession and our state’s budget crisis, and I know what it takes to make the tough choices to reduce spending and streamline programs while preserving the services many Californians depend on.  We must work together to make common sense budget reforms, including eliminating duplicative or wasteful programs, while also reforming our complicated, loop-hole ridden tax code so we can provide relief for middle-class families and incentives for businesses that are creating jobs here at home. This common sense approach will lead to government efficiency, less government debt, and broader economic prosperity for all Americans.