>Scott Garrett: Americans Want a Solution to Debt Crisis, Not a “Deal”
WASHINGTON, August 1, 2011 – Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Vice Chairman of the House Budget Committee and Chairman of the Budget and Spending Task Force for the Republican Study Committee (RSC), issued the following statement tonight after voting against the agreement to raise the debt ceiling:
“While a step in the right direction, this is hardly the resolution I was hoping to come out of this process. The American people wanted to see us come up with an actual solution to address our deficit and debt crisis, not another ‘deal’ rushed through Congress at the last minute. Aside from an insufficient amount of spending cuts and the threat of tax hikes on the American people, what is most unfortunate about this bill is the fact that it doesn’t address the exploding costs of our entitlement programs, which are by far the biggest threat to our credit rating.
“Above all else, I am most disappointed in the lack of commitment on the part of negotiators to seeing that a balanced budget amendment was sent to the states for ratification. No matter how much spending we cut, no matter how many blue ribbon commissions we form, a balanced budget amendment is the only solution that will resolve our long-term deficit and debt problem. The American people expected more of us—it’s regrettable we put off the tough decisions once again.”