Whitfield Votes to Cut Spending, Block Tax Increases, Prevent Government Default

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield, (KY-01), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Power, this evening voted in favor of legislation that would cut government spending without imposing tax increases on American working families, while also extending the government's debt ceiling in order to prevent default or disruption of government services.

The legislation, known as the Budget Control Act, is the product of lengthy negotiations between congressional leaders and the White House aimed at cutting government spending while also allowing for the nation's debt ceiling to be raised, preventing a default of the United States on its debts and obligations.

Following his vote, Rep. Whitfield made the following statement:

"I congratulate the President and congressional leadership for coming together and taking the first of many steps toward addressing a real threat to our economic security. Tonight's vote is an important and responsible first step toward serious reform of government spending while also preserving the full faith and credit of the United States. The bill begins this reform by cutting and capping spending while also tasking Congress with identifying further cuts in government spending. I am pleased especially to see that this legislation has been drafted to exclude any tax increases. There is still much more to be done to bring down our debts and deficits while also controlling our spending but tonight's vote is a good start. Now we need to turn our attention to job creation and in particular we need to focus on regulations such as those coming out of the EPA that are killing jobs. "

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