An Editorial: A Call for Smaller Government and Fiscal Restraint
Posted By RichC on April 29, 2025
Although TheHustings.news editor didn’t ask me to write anything this week (previous requests), I decided to work on something over the weekend that has been bothering me. 
As a long time advocate for shrinking our Federal government (as a conservative, small government Republican) and focused on the “spending problem” Congress has had for decades —which is a bipartisan problem— there doesn’t seem to be much of a difference coming from the current Trump administration or the current Republican controlled Congress. I do appreciate the few voices 
that still harp on fiscal restraint (including my current Ohio Rep Warren Davidson who efficiency uses social media to interact regularly with me — thank you). Our only hope seemed to be the Department of Government Efficiency (@DOGE) headed up by Elon Musk (soon to depart) … but unfortunately I’m sensing their efforts are slowing down and also being thwarted by the spenders who don’t want to give up the pork. ☹️
Of course writing this isn’t going to help, but it is cathartic for me (Warning: It is longer than usual).
A Call for Smaller Government and Fiscal Restraint
In 2010, Republican lawmakers rallied around a clear message: “We don’t have a revenue problem. We have a spending problem.” This sentiment, voiced prominently by figures like Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Representative Eric Cantor, underscored a commitment to addressing the federal deficit through spending cuts rather than tax increases. Fast forward to 2025, and this principle remains as relevant as ever, yet the challenges facing Congress, the Trump administration, and the federal budget have grown more complex. With a national debt exceeding $36 trillion and annual deficits projected to remain above $1.8 trillion, the need for smaller government and disciplined fiscal policy is urgent. The current political landscape demands a renewed focus on reducing federal spending, streamlining government operations, and prioritizing economic stability over unchecked expansion.
The federal government’s growth has been relentless. In fiscal year 2022, federal spending reached $6.3 trillion, a level that dwarfs pre-COVID budgets of $4.4 trillion. This escalation, driven by emergency measures during the pandemic, has not receded. Instead, it has been cemented as a new baseline, with Congress passing massive omnibus bills, like the $1.7 trillion package in 2022, that bundle spending without sufficient scrutiny. The Trump administration, now in its second term, has an opportunity to break this cycle. President Trump’s recent calls to avoid government shutdowns while coordinating with House Republicans to craft a continuing resolution (CR) signal a willingness to address spending, but the details matter. A CR that merely extends current funding levels without meaningful cuts perpetuates the problem.
Smaller government is not just a slogan; it’s a necessity. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk and his team, has already identified areas of waste, such as $51 million in cuts to the U.S. African Development Foundation and $580 million in eliminated Pentagon programs. These are steps in the right direction, but they scratch the surface of a budget that allocates $892.5 billion for discretionary defense spending and $708 billion for non-defense discretionary programs in 2025 alone. Mandatory spending, including Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, continues to drive the lion’s share of the budget, yet Congress remains hesitant to tackle these politically sensitive entitlements—a hesitation that echoes the challenges faced by the 2010 deficit commission.
Today’s Congress reflects both continuity and change from 2010. The Republican-led House, under Speaker Mike Johnson, has faced internal friction, exemplified by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene’s motion to vacate the speakership over a bipartisan $1.2 trillion spending bill in 2024. This discord highlights a broader tension: while GOP lawmakers like Representatives Jason Smith and Eric Burlison echo the 2010 mantra that “we have a spending problem, not a revenue problem,” passing meaningful cuts remains elusive. Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, advocate for shorter-term CRs to negotiate higher spending, further complicating efforts to rein in the budget.
The 2010 article noted public resistance to entitlement reform, a dynamic that persists today. However, the economic context has shifted. Inflation, cited by economists as a consequence of excessive federal spending, remains a top voter concern. The $5 trillion in COVID-19 relief funds, marred by an estimated $500 billion in fraud, underscores the risks of unchecked spending. Congress must prioritize transparency and accountability, ensuring that taxpayer dollars are not squandered on mismanaged programs or political pet projects.
The Trump administration has a unique opportunity to lead on fiscal restraint. President Trump’s endorsement of a CR that “sets us up to cut Taxes and Spending in Reconciliation” suggests an intent to align tax policy with spending reductions. However, his administration must avoid the pitfalls of past promises. In 2017, the GOP’s tax cuts were paired with assurances of economic growth to offset deficits, yet spending continued to climb. To succeed, the administration should work with DOGE to eliminate redundant programs, sell underutilized federal assets, and reform competitive grant processes that have enabled “administration earmarks.”
Defense spending, projected to reach $1 trillion in 2026, demands particular scrutiny. While national security is paramount, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s commitment to “peace through strength” must be balanced with eliminating inefficiencies, as critics like Bill Maher have argued. Similarly, discretionary non-defense spending, which includes programs like NPR and PBS, faces GOP-led efforts to defund perceived ideological biases—a move that could save millions while refocusing public media on market-driven funding.
To achieve smaller government, Congress and the Trump administration must act decisively. First, they should replace omnibus spending bills with individual appropriations, as House Speaker Kevin McCarthy pledged in 2023, allowing for targeted cuts and greater oversight. Second, they must confront mandatory spending, exploring reforms to Medicare and Medicaid that preserve benefits for the vulnerable while curbing unsustainable growth. Third, the administration should leverage DOGE’s findings to eliminate waste, from bloated grants to unused federal properties. Finally, Congress should resist short-term CRs that delay tough decisions, opting instead for budgets that reflect fiscal discipline.
The 2010 GOP message resonates today: revenue is not the issue; spending is. With a national debt on track to double in three decades, the time for action is now. By embracing smaller government, the Trump administration and Congress can restore economic stability, reduce inflation, and earn the trust of taxpayers. The path is challenging, but the stakes are too high to ignore.
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