U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-9) issued the following statement after he voted today in support of the Budget Control Act, which cuts spending more than it increases the debt limit, caps future spending, guarantees a vote on a balanced budget amendment and holds the line on job-killing tax increases:    

“We do not have a revenue problem; we have a spending problem. Unsustainable government growth crowds out the private sector and leads to negative economic consequences, such as higher tax rates. That is why I believe this legislation is an important step toward getting our nation’s fiscal house in order.  The Budget Control Act adheres to the tenets of cutting more spending than the debt ceiling increase, capping spending and putting our country on a path towards a balanced budget -- all without raising job-crushing taxes. The Act also states that a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, which is a commonsense approach to ensure our federal government is not spending more money than it takes in, is sent to the states before the president can request another increase in the nation’s debt limit.

“As an original co-sponsor of the Cut, Cap, and Balance Act, which passed the House last week, I had hoped to see this bill become the vehicle for addressing our nation’s fiscal concerns.  However, the Senate refused to take up the bill. I believe the Budget Control Act is consistent with the principles found in the Cut, Cap, and Balance Act and is still a good step forward toward getting our fiscal house in order.  In the House, we have laid the groundwork to continue the process of cutting government spending and reducing our nation’s debt. The debate in Washington is no longer about how much to increase taxes, but rather about how much spending needs to be cut.”

###