Rep. Peters Votes Against Debt Bill

Representative Gary Peters today voted against a debt proposal in Congress that would make deep cuts to programs affecting middle class families without making the fundamental budget reforms needed to reduce our national debt.

"As I have said for nearly two years, we must have a comprehensive and balanced deficit reduction package as part of any debt ceiling increase, but this deal misses that mark by a mile," said Representative Peters. "Sadly, this is just business as usual in Washington -- it makes painful cuts for middle class families without closing tax loopholes for special interests or fixing the structural problems with our deficit."

Since taking office, Peters has been one of the most outspoken voices in Congress calling for comprehensive deficit reduction that shares the burden equally. The deal in front of Congress today made significant cuts to domestic discretionary spending, but entirely failed to address economic growth or tax reform.

In an op-ed in The Oakland Press last month, Peters wrote that he would vote against any debt limit increase that did not include a balanced deficit reduction plan. Peters wrote: "We must address all three fundamental factors of deficit reduction: Cutting spending, reforming taxes and investing in economic growth. Proposals that shift the burden onto one group at the expense of another, or ignore any of these basic factors, will not solve the problem." [Leaders must sit down and work to cut national deficit; July 25, 2011]

This is the third time Peters has voted against a debt ceiling increase that did not include adequate deficit reduction.

In December 2009, Peters voted against a debt limit increase, stating: "If a short-term increase is needed later to keep our nation from defaulting on its debt, I will only vote for it if it is attached to statutory "Pay-as-You-Go' budget rules, budget cuts and other measures to bring down the deficit in the long run."

In February 2010, Peters voted against a debt limit increase, stating: "With no comprehensive plan in place for controlling spending and charting a path to shrink our national debt in the long-term, I cannot in good conscience vote for a debt limit increase."

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