Harris says Federal Government Irresponsible with Spending

UPDATE (4:43 p.m.)—After holding a town hall meeting with local residents for more than an hour at 2 p.m., Rep. Andy Harris met with Harford County Sheriff Jesse Bane before returning to Hickory Avenue to meet with town officials.

Joining Harris and his staff is commissioners David Carey and Robert Preston along with Chief of Police Leo Matrangola and Town Administrator Chris Schlehr.

Harris is discussing income tax and social security with Carey, who is the chairman of the Board of Commissioners. In regard to the debt, Carey also asked if individuals will be taxed in proportion to their income.

"Do you really think there could be a bipartisan solution to social security in this economy?" Carey asked.

"Yes," Harris responded.

Harris said part of the problem with Medicare is that costs to the federal government have no "cap." He is discussing a defined contribution program for people ages 65 and older as a solution.

Harris crticized spending in Washington D.C. when speaking with citizens earlier.

"The federal government does not conduct its business like you or I do in our households," he said. "It's called living within our means."

During the meeting with commissioners, Harris described the change in culture he experienced at the federal level, where the expectation is not to balance the budget.

Carey asked about the cost of war, which was also a hot topic during the town hall meeting.

"I think we're going to have to ask the Pentagon to be very efficient with the funds they have," Harris said. "Right now's a bad time to discuss it because we've actually just expanded our foreign involvment."

He said he believes the House of Representatives would like to freeze defense spending.

"If want to remain the foremost power in the world, we are going to have to invest," he said. "What we can do is mind-boggling."

During the town hall meeting earlier Friday, Harris criticized President Barack Obama's decision to act in Libya.

"[Last Thursday], there wasn't a hint of anything going on," he said. "I wake up over the weekend, 130 tomahawk missiles have been launched."

Harris also told the citizens that China owns the United States because of the debt owed, in the midst of discussing the fiscal year 2012 and current budget.

Schlehr has also asked Harris about the cost implementing EPA Total Maximum Daily Load requirements. The congressman acknowledged the challenge of retrofitting a neighborhood to comply with regulations.

By 2020, all of the requirements must be met.

"We are going to work with the EPA to put some realism in it," said Harris, adding that it was unfair to require something unfunded this big to jurisdictions.

Harris said he is willing to help the town when they need it.

"We may not be able to spend a lot of money," Harris said, "but we can speak to the regulators."