Red tape is a sticky subject for the Obama administration. The rhetoric suggests a sincere effort to reduce the regulatory burden on small businesses. The reality is a steady rollout of new, costly regulations and a mild retrospective review process that has led to more discussion than action. According to The Heritage Foundation, the cost of major federal regulations increased by $70 billion  during the President’s first term.

House Republicans announced Thursday a $400 million savings in the operations of the House of Representatives. Under GOP leadership, the House has achieved these savings over three straight years. We need a similar effort to make serious spending reductions across all federal government agencies and programs. Despite the $16.7 trillion debt, this Small Business Administration’s budget proposal still calls for unnecessary new spending, such as $57 million for unproven pilot programs.

This week’s Tax Day deadline leads us to reflect on where our nation stands fiscally. Together, we face a $16.7 trillion debt and a yearly deficit that constantly adds to it, despite record revenue streaming into the federal government. The bill for chronic overspending has come due.