As the year draws to an end, Americans are not only preparing for a new year, but also a new Congress. In the November midterm election, the American people voiced their opinions and voted for a Republican majority in both the Senate and House of Representatives. With President Obama still in the White House and Republicans controlling Congress, our nation faces new challenges. Yet, we also have new opportunities for reform.
This type of government, in which one party controls the presidency and the other party controls one or both houses of Congress, can produce historic results. In fact, many of America's greatest accomplishments have occurred in a divided government. President Ronald Reagan achieved our nation's last significant tax reform during a divided government. With Democrats in charge of the House of Representatives, Reagan worked across party lines to pass the Tax Reform Act of 1986, which successfully lowered tax rates and closed loopholes to simplify our tax code. Additionally, similarly to President Obama, Bill Clinton entered his presidency with a unified Congress under Democrat control. However, after the election of 1994, he was soon faced with a Republican majority in both the House and Senate.
President Clinton took advantage of this opportunity. He listened to the American people and worked across the aisle to create reforms that appealed to the majority of Americans. In 1996, Republicans and Democrats worked together to pass the revolutionary Welfare Reform Act. One year later, Republicans and Democrats once again united to reduce our nation's deficit with the Bipartisan Budget Agreement. The Welfare Reform Act led to declining welfare caseloads and less poverty, while the Bipartisan Budget Agreement helped reduce deficits and even deliver surpluses. Neither of these bills was perfect, but they were strong pieces of legislation crafted in good faith by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. As history shows, divided government does not have to result in partisanship and gridlock, but instead, it can create a working environment to promote Americans' priorities.
We once again have the opportunity to achieve productive reform and positive change. Promoting the will of the American people by growing the economy from the bottom up and putting more money back into the hands of hardworking people is our first priority. I am hopeful President Obama will work with us to create a stronger economy for the American people.
With the new majority in Congress, we can achieve significant reform in two critical areas: taxes and entitlement spending. Most Americans are in agreement that our current tax code is far too complex, unjust, and burdened with loopholes. I am optimistic that we can achieve substantial reforms that will produce great benefits for the American people. By transforming our current federal tax system into a fairer, flatter, simpler tax code, we can optimize our country's economic future and promote economic growth and prosperity.
Furthermore, I believe that my colleagues and I can work together to reform entitlement spending. Our current entitlement programs face serious challenges to their financial futures. These programs have grown substantially since they were first created and are the primary drivers of our increasing national debt. In order for our current entitlement programs to remain solvent, we need substantial and effective reform that will reduce spending and control the deficit. I am optimistic we can reform our entitlement programs so the American people can successfully prepare for their futures.
With new beginnings come new opportunities. I am excited to see what the New Year will bring.
(U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn., represents Tennessee's 3rd District.)