Over the past several weeks Washington has been seized with the issue regarding the President’s request to raise the nation’s debt ceiling.
The dynamics of the potential economic ramifications, my commitment to cutting government spending, and the political realities of a divided government in Washington underlined this debate.
After listening to and communicating with many of my constituents, I decided that it was in the best interest of the people I represent to support the final agreement, the Budget Control Act, which passed the House and Senate with bipartisan support and was signed into law by the President this past week.
Last November, 5th District Virginians sent a clear message that we must put an end to the reckless government spending in Washington that has led to a crippling $14 trillion debt and $1.5 trillion deficit. HYPERLINK “http://email.address-verify.com/q/BlVBBR1rbb9wAlsl918HqNtihz9tdJiE41HzdxsA-IUMrGiGLoZ_-6QIZ” hurt.house.gov or call my Washington office: (202) 225-4711, Charlottesville office: (434) 973-9631, Danville office: (434) 791-2596, or Farmville office: (434) 395-0120.
Since the start of the new 112th Congress, the House has delivered on this message by consistently fighting to change the spending culture in Washington.
As I have said from the beginning, I would only consider the President’s request for an increase in the debt ceiling if a plan was put in place that adhered to the principles of Cut, Cap, and Balance. And while this agreement does not go far enough, I believe it lives up to those principles and moves the ball forward.
This plan is not the final answer to our debt crisis, but it implements historic spending reforms that actually shrink the size and scope of the federal government and does so in spite of a Senate and White House that have remained committed to continuing the current spending status quo.
Instead of providing the President with a blank check to raise the debt limit and instead of allowing massive tax increases on our job creators, the House changed the terms of the debate.
Now, Washington is cutting spending by a larger amount than the increase in the debt limit. Now, enforceable spending caps will be put in place and for the first time in fifteen years, the House and Senate are guaranteed to vote on a balanced budget amendment. And now, we will address Washington’s spending problem without imposing job-destroying tax hikes on our families and small businesses.
This plan is not perfect, but is a step in the right direction to move an inflexible Washington towards accepting true spending reforms and forcing the government to live within its means so that we can get our fiscal house in order to help grow the economy and create jobs for all 5th District Virginians.
If you need any additional information on these or any other issues, please visit my website at
Robert Hurt is a United States congressman.
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