Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) praised this evening’s House vote to reject a so-called “clean” increase in the statutory debt limit, which would raise the debt limit without reductions in federal spending or budgetary reforms.  The measure, H.R. 1954, would have provided for a $2.4 trillion increase to the nation’s already-historic $14.3 trillion debt limit – the amount necessary under the President’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2012.  The increase was soundly rejected by a bipartisan vote of 97-318, with 82 Democrats and 236 Republicans voting in opposition.

“We can no longer afford to continue down the path to fiscal ruin by spending money we simply do not have,” said Upton.  “Throwing another $2.4 trillion of debt at the problem will not put our nation’s fiscal house back in order.  To protect our children and grandchildren from an avalanche of debt, we must push for dramatic cuts in spending as well as comprehensive reforms of both the federal budget and the overly burdensome tax code.  Michigan families and small businesses have had to make difficult decisions to live within their means; it’s time for Uncle Sam to do the same.  This vote certainly sends the signal that the spending and deficit eras of the past have to end.”