Rep. Johnson's Statement on Debt Deal

Statement

U.S. Rep. Timothy V. Johnson issued the following statement today in opposition to the Budget Control Act.

"The legislation falls far short of making the fundamental structural reforms and the fundamental spending reductions necessary to get our nation working again," Rep. Johnson said.

"Our legislative leaders call it compromise but only in Washington where money isn't real can it be deemed acceptable to add $2.4 trillion this year to the current $14.3 trillion in debt in exchange for a promise of $2 trillion in cuts over the next decade.

"Leader Boehner is to be commended for changing the course of debate so that we are all now focused on the need to rein in spending and provide certainty to our financial markets. Would that have been the focus before the stimulus package, bailouts and health care changes, perhaps we wouldn't be facing a debt-ceiling limit.

"Washington's spendthrift habits are the reason 87 Republicans were swept into the House in 2010. That frustration has not changed. I also find it regrettable that under this new plan, Congress won't be able to revisit the debt ceiling until 2013.

"We have accumulated $3.5 trillion in new debt under President Obama. Under the Budget Control Act, we're still spending more than we did last year. And nothing in this bill prevents the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction from reporting legislation to increase taxes. I hope the American people are watching. I fear this kind of compromise will only maintain the status quo."

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