Senator Domenici is recognized as one of the nation's foremost experts on the federal budget and it's impact on the economy. A member of the budget committee since 1976, Senator became Chairman in 1981. He served as ranking member from 1987 to 1994 and resumed his chairmanship in 1995. Senator Domenici has led through the Congress a historic effort to balance the federal budget and restores fiscal responsibility. The Senator firmly believes that Congress must balance the budget if Americans are to be assured a healthy future full of opportunity.
In 1995, Senator Domenici along with Senator Sam Nunn introduced income tax reform legislation, the Unlimited Savings Allowance Tax (USA Tax) would abolish the current income tax code and replace it with a system that rewards savings and investment.
During the first session of the 105th congress, Senator Domenici will introduce biennial budgeting and appropriations reform legislation. Under a biennial budget the president would submit a two-year budget resolution and Congress would consider a two-year budget resolution and 13 two-year appropriation bills during the first session of a Congress. The second session would be devoted to consideration of authorization bills and to oversight of government agencies.
Senator Domenici has consistently supported a balanced environmental initiatives to preserve our natural resources while permitting their most efficient use. He has consistently introduced legislation to protect the wilderness in New Mexico. He is also a strong advocate of energy independence, encouraging the development of the domestic oil and natural gas industries, while calling for a reduction in the country's reliance on foreign sources of energy.
An outspoken advocate for people with mental disorders, Senator Domenici has worked to end health coverage discrimination against the severely mentally ill. He has also authored legislation to double federal support for primary health care facilities in predominantly rural areas.
Domenici is a strong proponent of science and science research, and has a strong record of support for such projects as the human genome research. In addition, Senator has worked to aid the evolving mission of the national laboratories from weapons research and production to stewardship over the nation's existing nuclear weapons stockpile in order secure existing jobs and develop new employment opportunities.
New York Times, May 1995 "...Mr. Domenici enjoys a universal reputation as one of the Senate's hardest working, most intelligent and most intense members."
"He is also the acknowledged master on Capitol Hill of nuances of the Federal budget and the budgetary process... and he is a bulldog when it comes to interrogating department officials."
Washington Post editorial headline, April 1995: "The Good Budget Soldier"
The Weekly Standard, Matthew Reese, November 1995."Domenici has emerged as one of the generals in the Republican effort to radically downsize the federal government and balance the budget in the process."
Albuquerque Tribune, November 1994 "Domenici, who served as Senate Budget Committee chairman from 1981 through 1986 and as the panel's top Republican since then, is the nation's most respected GOP budgeteer'."
David Gergen, U.S.News and World Report, March 8, 1993 "New Mexico's GOP senator, Pete Domenici, has a reputation for honesty and courage in fighting deficits..."
Speaker Thomas Foley, February 14, 1993 "Over the years, [Domenici] has stood for doing something about deficit reduction. He has taken hard, tough positions. I have nothing but praise for him individually."
The Houston Chronicle, May 26, 1995 For Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, passage of the budget blueprint was a personal victory as he and like-minded deficit hawks kept GOP tax-cutters and Democratic spenders at bay
Go to Senator Domenici's website
