The federal budget deficit will hit $1.3 trillion in 2011, topping one trillion dollars for the third year in a row.  Foxx says that is why she has voted under both Republican and Democrat administrations to reduce federal spending and get the federal deficit under control.  As important as it is to cut federal spending, Congress also needs to lead by example and closely examine its own budget.  This year the House of Representatives cut its own budget by $55 million for 2011 and voting for an additional $39.1 million cut for 2012.  That amounts to nearly $100 million in cuts to the House budget.  Foxx contends the best place to continue the cutting is the congressional pension program.  Very few North Carolina private sector workers have such generous retirement benefits.  Foxx says there is an easy fix to this problem: stop the congressional pension.  So, Foxx cosponsored legislation with Congressman Mike Coffman from Colorado to wind down the pension program.  This legislation (H.R. 2913) would end the pension program and save taxpayers millions each year.  Foxx explains that while this will not balance the budget and end the federal deficit, it is a start; and it sends a message to America that Congress is serious about cutting spending—including its own budget and benefits.