“We have fundamentally changed the conversation in Washington.  Republicans produced a plan that turns Washington’s culture of ‘more spending and more debt’ on its head.” 

Washington D.C. –U.S. Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08) issued the following statement after voting in favor of the “Budget Control Act”, also known as the “Boehner Plan”:

“The American people sent eighty-seven Republican freshmen to Washington last November.  Since our arrival, we have fundamentally changed the conversation in Washington.  Republicans produced a plan that turns Washington’s culture of “more spending and more debt” on its head. 

“Speaker Boehner’s plan is not ideal for conservatives, however Democrats still maintain enough control to block anything the House passes from becoming law.  The plan does prohibit the president from receiving a blank check, secures a down payment of $1.2 trillion in spending cuts and tasks a congressional committee with cutting $1.8 trillion more over ten years.  In addition to requiring spending cuts larger than the debt hike, it also requires both chambers of Congress to vote on and pass a Balanced Budget Amendment.

“Since 1962, the debt limit has been raised seventy-four times – including ten times since 2001. Spending cuts have never been a condition of raising the debt ceiling in the past – let alone cuts of this magnitude.  Had they been, we would not be in this current crisis.   This plan will set the precedent that will define future rounds of budget debates. From now on, any effort to raise the debt must be accompanied by equivalent cuts in spending. 

“There is still a long road to getting the main drivers of our debt under control. But just as I would do all that I could to prevent my own family business from defaulting, I will do all that I can to prevent America from defaulting on our obligations. That is why I voted for this reasonable, responsible bill that cuts government spending, avoids a default, and helps create a better environment for job creation in America.”

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