--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: After almost 50 years in which federal…" description: "\"After almost 50 years in which federal spending averaged about 20 percent of GDP, Joe Sestak and Nancy Pelosi took federal spending to 25 percent. You ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/770/pat-toomey-27667_about_after-almost-50-years-in-which-federal-s_2319821.png" --- # After almost 50 years in which federal spending averaged… ![“After almost 50 years in which federal spending averaged about 20 percent of GDP, Joe Sestak and Nancy Pelosi took federal spending to 25 percent. You know, that's a 25 percent increase in the size of the government overnight. That's what we - that's what we've got to rein in.” quote by Pat Toomey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/770/pat-toomey-27667_about_after-almost-50-years-in-which-federal-s_2319821.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/770/pat-toomey-27667_about_after-almost-50-years-in-which-federal-s_2319821.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/770/pat-toomey-27667_about_after-almost-50-years-in-which-federal-s_2319821.png) > “After almost 50 years in which federal spending averaged about 20 percent of GDP, Joe Sestak and Nancy Pelosi took federal spending to 25 percent. You know, that's a 25 percent increase in the size of the government overnight. That's what we - that's what we've got to rein in.” [Pat Toomey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-toomey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Federal spending rose sharply, prompting calls for fiscal restraint to curb government growth. **In simple terms:** Spending increased; need to rein in. Key Takeaway Advocate for responsible budgeting. Themes fiscal policy government size budgeting Mood concerned analytical Type political economic When to use this quote - budget planning - tax policy - government reform Key Concepts economics public policy Questions to Reflect On - How can spending be cut without harming vital programs? - What alternatives exist to control deficits? A Different Perspective Reducing spending may impact essential services. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Federal spending](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/federal-spending/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Rein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rein/) [Taxes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taxes/) ## Related quotes > [I'm the guy who's started businesses, I've been a small business owner. 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The Right was supposed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-sullivan/well-in-the-past-the-size-of-government-was-one-of-the-more/) [Andrew Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-sullivan/) > [If you set as your goal to roll back the size of government, you have an obligation to answer the tough questions and show…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-baird/if-you-set-as-your-goal-to-roll-back-the-size-of-government-you-have/) [Brian Baird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-baird/) ## More by Pat Toomey > [I tend to look at things from the supply side, looking for ways to make it less expensive to do more production. I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-toomey/i-tend-to-look-at-things-from-the-supply-side-looking-for-ways-to/) [Pat Toomey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-toomey/) > [I'm the guy that has written at great length about exactly how we should profoundly reform Social Security. If I were afraid of going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-toomey/i-m-the-guy-that-has-written-at-great-length-about-exactly-how-we/) [Pat Toomey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-toomey/) > [We need statutory spending limits written into law.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-toomey/we-need-statutory-spending-limits-written-into-law/) [Pat Toomey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-toomey/) > [After 2003, we lowered taxes across the board. And by 2004, revenue to the federal government grew. 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