Chair McMorris Rodgers Leads "Millennial Meetup"; Discusses Impact of National Debt on the Next Generation

Statement

House Republican Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) was joined by Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) and other House Republicans -- including Reps. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) and Aaron Schock (R-IL) -- today to lead a "Millennial Meetup on the Debt" with young leaders from across the country. They led an off-the-record roundtable discussion about the impact of the national debt on America's youth and how Washington's out-of-control spending will hurt the next generation.

"Today we had the opportunity to meet with young leaders representing nearly 20 organizations across this country to talk about the effect of the national debt on the millennial generation," said Chair McMorris Rodgers. "They represent so much of America's youth -- they're college students, campus leaders, budding entrepreneurs, future economists, innovators, business leaders and doctors. But one thing stands in their way: the national debt. It's more than just a $16 trillion price tag. It's more than just a number that continues to rise under President Obama. It's a threat to the future of our children and grandchildren -- and we owe it to them to fix it."

"We have a moral obligation to provide the next generation with every opportunity our parents gave us," said Budget Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI). "This means making the tough decisions today to ensure that tomorrow will be a future of opportunity and prosperity. If we find the courage to advance the right solutions, there is no limit to what young Americans can achieve."

House Republicans were joined by young leaders from the following organizations: The National Campus Leadership Council, Common Sense Action, Concerned Youth for America, Public Notice/Bankrupting America, and The Can Kicks Back --bipartisan organizations featuring young people who are concerned about the impact of the debt on their generation.

"If we do not put our national debt on a downward path by reforming both entitlement programs and the tax code in a generationally balanced way, young Americans will undoubtedly face a future of more debt, fewer jobs, higher taxes and a lower standard of living," said Nick Troiano, co-founder of The Can Kicks Back.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, each child born in 2010 will have inherited an individual debt responsibility of over $80,000 by 2023 -- and by 2032, their public debt responsibility will have tripled. Today's inaugural "Millennial Meetup" highlighted House Republicans' commitment to reducing the debt burden for future generations in a balanced and efficacious manner.

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