Press Releases

WASHINGTON – This week, Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) joined Bipartisan Fiscal Forum (BFF) Co-Chairs Bill Huizenga (R-Michigan) and Scott Peters (D-California), in addition to Reps. Lloyd Smucker (R-Pennsylvania), and Mike Quigley (D-Illinois), to introduce House Resolution 981 establishing a clear fiscal goal – reduce the federal budget deficit to 3% of gross domestic product (GDP) or lower. Known as the “3% Resolution,” this measure establishes growing bipartisan agreement that Congress must adopt a concrete, achievable target to begin restoring fiscal discipline and confronting the nation’s escalating debt crisis.

With the federal deficit hovering around 6% of GDP in Fiscal Year 2025 and the national debt at historic levels, the 3% Resolution boldly calls for a straightforward, no-nonsense framework for action to put the nation on a more sustainable fiscal path and protect future generations from severe economic consequences. 

You may read the text here. In addition to Rep. Estes and the two cochairs, the 3% Resolution is also cosponsored by the entire BFF Steering Committee, including Reps. Ed Case (D-Hawaii), Steve Womack (R-Arkansas), Jimmy Panetta (D-California), Erin Houchin (R-Indiana), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Washington), Blake Moore (R-Utah), Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pennsylvania), Dusty Johnson (R-South Dakota), and Jared Golden (D-Maine), as well as House Budget Chairman and BFF Co-Chair Emeritus Jodey Arrington (R-Texas).

In addition to the entire BFF Steering Committee cosponsoring the legislation, the 3% Resolution has gained significant support right out of the gate. 

“Reining in the deficit is essential for protecting taxpayers and preserving economic opportunity. This bipartisan resolution by Reps. Bill Huizenga and Scott Peters establishing a 3% deficit-to-GDP goal over five years provides a meaningful benchmark for getting our fiscal house in order. The best way to meet this target is for Congress to pursue thoughtful, long-term spending reforms and tax policies that encourage investment, work, and innovation. The resolution also gives the Congressional Budget Office an important role in assessing how major legislation would affect progress toward meeting these deficit-reduction goals, helping to keep lawmakers on track,” said Demian Brady, Vice President of Research, National Taxpayers Union Foundation.          

“Only Congress can fix federal finances. That’s why it’s good to see an emerging new framework from Representatives Huizenga, Peters, Smucker, and Quigley: reduce the deficit to 3% of GDP through an effective congressional budget process with credible backstops. Building consensus on the goals can open the door to serious conversations about how to get there,” said Kurt Couchman, Senior Fellow in Fiscal Policy, Americans for Prosperity.

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