Emerson Opposes More Debt For U.S. Government, Taxpayers

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) today voted against a procedural motion and an amendment in the U.S. House of Representatives that would raise the amount of money the federal government is allowed to borrow to a record $14.3 trillion, saying spending and debt are out of control.

"The American people are looking at an unconscionable amount of debt, skyrocketing deficits and a fiscal nightmare -- all compounded by a budget proposal that fully intends to make matters worse instead of better," Emerson said. "We must curb the federal appetite for spending, and we must say "enough' to the federal bureaucracy in Washington, DC. Today's vote was a critical one."

Emerson noted that federal deficits have grown from $248 billion in 2006 to a proposed, projected $1.27 trillion for FY 2011. That proposal comes on the heels of a record federal deficit of $1.56 trillion in FY 2010.

"Both sides are to blame, but today we ought to be able to set politics aside to agree that something must be done in the name of future generations of Americans who are destined to inherit the $1.9 trillion of debt the Congress approved," Emerson said.

The executive branch of government may not issue debt in excess of a limit set by Congress. Emerson opposed an increase in the federal debt limit in late 2009, and she noted that the requests for authority to issue new debt are growing larger and more frequent.

"The basic question is whether or not we are going to continue to allow the federal government to spend as though there are no limits. The consequences are dramatic and dire, not just for us but for our children and their children. Restrained economic growth, lost jobs, higher taxes and a diminished role in the world for our democracy are only a few of the side effects we are in the process of assigning to future generations of Americans. Families in Southern Missouri have had enough, and so have I," Emerson said.

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