WASHINGTON – U.S. Congresswoman Candice Miller (MI-10) today made the following comments regarding the U.S. House of Representative’s passage of the Budget Control Act, a framework to cut and cap federal spending and prevent a national default. The measure now heads to the U.S. Senate for consideration. Upon the Senate’s passage, the measure will be sent to the President for his signature. Miller said:

“This agreement is yet another example of the historic pivot in Washington, because never before in history has an increase in our nation’s debt limit been tied to cuts in spending. No longer is the debate about how much more is the federal government going to spend; the debate is now how much spending is going to be cut. This legislation will require: more than $2.1 trillion in federal spending cuts; puts in place firm caps to hold down future spending; both houses of Congress must have an up-or-down vote on a balanced budget amendment; does not impose any job killing tax increases; avoids a default on federal obligations that would be disastrous to our economy; and begins the process to put this nation on a path to prosperity. We have much more that still needs to be done, but this is further progress in turning the federal government toward fiscal sanity so that we can leave a better America for our children and grandchildren.”

Note - The Budget Control Act:
• Cut and Cap Spending: The Budget Control Act cuts and caps discretionary spending immediately, saving $917 billion over ten years, and raises the debt ceiling by less – up to $900 billion – in order to avoid default;
• No Tax Hikes: The Budget Control Act includes no tax hikes;
• Balanced Budget Amendment: The Budget Control Act requires the House and Senate to vote on a balanced budget amendment after October 1, 2011 but before the end of the year;
• Joint Committee To Further Cut Deficit: The Budget Control Act creates a Joint Committee of Congress that is required to report legislation to reduce the deficit by at least $1.2 trillion over 10 years, which will help protect programs like Medicare and Social Security from bankruptcy. Each Chamber will be required to pass the proposal of the Joint Committee on an up-or-down vote basis without any amendments or a Balanced Budget Amendment is sent to the states. Only then will the President be authorized to request a second debt limit increase.

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