Tipton: Americans Deserve Better

February 13, 2012

Tipton: Americans Deserve Better

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Scott Tipton (R-CO) issued this statement following today’s unveiling of the President’s budget:

“As a small business owner, I’ve always followed the rule to not spend more than I take in. It’s never failed me. I look forward to examining the details of the President’s budget and finding points of agreement, but am already dismayed that instead of forcing Washington to live within its means, the President’s proposal increases spending, fails to reduce the debt, adds to the burden on hard working Americans with $1.9 trillion in new taxes, and does nothing to address the imminent bankruptcy of critical programs for our seniors.

“Our seniors deserve better than a broken promise; hardworking Americans deserve better than taxes and uncertainty; and our children and grandchildren deserve a bright future free from the crushing burden of debt. I challenge the President to put partisan interests aside and come to the table to work with the House to craft a budget that acts in the best interest of the American people. Adding another trillion dollars on top of the $15.3 trillion of debt does not help Americans, but limits future opportunities. The bottom line is that the President’s strategy is to spend now and hope for savings in the future. People deserve more than hope; they need real solutions. I ask the President to work together to find solutions that shrink our debt and get our economy moving once more, so that we can get the American people back to work.”

Key facts from the House Budget Committee on the President’s budget:

• Spends Too Much:
  - $47 trillion of government spending over the next decade
  - Proposes a net increase over current spending projections
• Taxes Too Much:
  - $1.9 trillion in new taxes
  - Raises taxes, not to pay down the debt, but to fuel more government spending
• Borrows Too Much:
  - Four straight years of trillion-dollar-plus deficits; no plan to reduce the debt
  - Gross debt at the end of FY22: $25.9 trillion
• Budget Gimmicks & Broken Promises
  - Overstates new deficit reduction by taking credit for savings already enacted
  - Exploits discredited budget gimmick by “not spending” nearly $1 trillion that was never going to be spent