As Debt Approaches $15 Trillion, What Will it Take for Dems to Support Balanced Budget Americans are Demanding?

November 14, 2011

FYI, a similar version of this release below went out to the following districts: Tim Bishop (NY-01), Bruce Braley (IA-01), Lois Capps (CA-24), Russ Carnahan (MO-03), Kathy Castor (FL-11), Ben Chandler (KY-06), David Cicilline (RI-01), Gerry Connolly (VA-11), Mark Critz (PA-12), John Garamendi (CA-03), Raul Grijalva (AZ-07), Brian Higgins (NY-27), Jim Himes (CT-04), Ruben Hinojosa (TX-15), Kathy Hochul (NY-26), Tim Holden (PA-17), Rush Holt (NJ-12), Steve Israel (NY-02), Bill Keating (MA-10), Ron Kind (WI-03), Rick Larsen (WA-02), David Loebsack (IA-02), Carolyn McCarthy (NY-04), Jerry McNerney (CA-09), Michael Michaud (ME-02), Brad Miller (NC-13), Bill Owens (NY-23), Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Ed Perlmutter (CO-07), Gary Peters (MI-09), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), David Price (NC-04), Nick Rahall (WV-03), Loretta Sanchez (CA-46), Kurt Schrader (OR-05), Heath Shuler (NC-11), Adam Smith (WA-09), Betty Sutton (OH-13), John Tierney (MA-06), Paul Tonko (NY-21), Niki Tsongas (MA-05), Pete Visclosky (IN-01), Tim Walz (MN-01), John Yarmuth (KY-03)

As Debt Approaches $15 Trillion, What Will it Take for Holden to Support Balanced Budget Americans are Demanding?
Pennsylvania Democrat Will Vote Later This Week on a Balanced Budget Amendment as an Overwhelming Majority of Americans Demand Fiscal Reform

Washington — Tim Holden will have an opportunity this week to demonstrate whether he is on the right side of fiscal reform when the House votes on a simple balanced budget amendment that would require the government to only spend the money it has, just like families and small businesses across the country. Will Holden back up his pledges of fiscal responsibility by supporting the balanced budget amendment, or will he continue furthering the Democrats’ addiction to spending and borrowing that threatens the economy and is putting future generations deeper in debt to foreign countries like China?

“Tim Holden will have the chance this week to support the meaningful fiscal reform voters want in the wake of the Democrats’ record-setting spending and borrowing spree,” said NRCC Communications Director Paul Lindsay. “Will Holden support this simple balanced budget amendment later this week or will he spurn the vast majority of voters and help continue the culture of endless spending and borrowing in Washington?”

The Democrats’ spending spree is the fastest increase of the federal debt in American history:

“The latest posting by the Treasury Department shows the national debt has now increased $4 trillion on President Obama’s watch.

“The debt was $10.626 trillion on the day Mr. Obama took office. The latest calculation from Treasury shows the debt has now hit $14.639 trillion.

“It’s the most rapid increase in the debt under any U.S. president.” (Mark Knoller, “National debt has increased $4 trillion under Obama,” CBS News’ Political Hotsheet Blog, 8/22/11)

This explains why 67 percent of voters disapprove of President Obama’s handling of the issue:

“Obama is also near his term-low approval rating on the federal budget deficit. The current 26% rating is in the generally low range seen since the start of the year, after falling sharply during the first year of his presidency.” (Lydia Saad, “Obama Improves on Foreign Affairs, Struggles on Fiscal Matters,” Gallup, 11/9/11)

But House Democrats aren’t listening, and Democrat Leaders are drumming up opposition to the balanced budget amendment:

“House Democratic leaders are urging their colleagues to vote against a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution when it comes up for a vote this month, all but ensuring its defeat.

“House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said that although he has supported a constitutional amendment to require a balanced budget in 1995, now is not the time.” (Gregory Korte, “House Dems will block balanced budget amendment,” USA Today’s On Politics Blog, 11/4/11)

Voters clearly want an end to the Democrats’ spending and borrowing addiction, so Tim Holden’s vote this week will be very important. Does Holden believe the government should live within its means and only spend the money it has, or will he vote to continue their spending spree unimpeded?

As Debt Approaches $15T, When Will Dems Support Balanced Budget Americans Demand? http://ow.ly/7sMjC #madeinwdc #coderedink

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