WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Candice Miller (MI-10) today made the following comments regarding President Obama’s formal request to raise the nation’s debt ceiling by $1.2 trillion. Miller is a cosponsor of the Resolution of disapproval of increasing the debt limit (H.J.Res 98) which is scheduled for a vote in the House on Wednesday. Miller said:

“Once again President Obama has asked Congress to raise our nation’s debt ceiling in order to pay for the out-of-control federal spending. I and many of my colleagues have been acting on our commitments to restore fiscal discipline to Washington to end the practice of piling ever more debt on our children and grandchildren. Unfortunately, so far the President has refused to join us in this effort and has once again asked for a blank check to add another $1.2 trillion to our debt. I understand that America must pay its obligations; however, we are still compelled to deal with our nation’s downgraded credit rating by Standard and Poor’s who noted that they do not believe we have the political will to do what is necessary financially. Following this downgrade, I had hoped the President would be outlining some significant spending reductions, structural budgeting reforms and make some specific recommendations about entitlement reforms. Instead, nothing.

“The American people understand that our current level of debt is unsustainable, stifles economic growth and reduces opportunities for those who need jobs. I cannot support another increase in our nation’s debt limit until President Obama and his allies in Congress join in making the difficult long-term spending decisions necessary to bring fiscal discipline back to the federal budget that will help produce opportunity and jobs for countless Americans in need.”

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