Ayotte Votes to Cut $57 Billion in Federal Spending

Press Release

U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) voted today to approve $57 billion in cuts to federal spending, which were included in a bill to fund the government for the remainder of the year.

The measure, which the House approved last month, failed in the Senate by a vote of 44 to 56. Ayotte subsequently voted against a Democrat proposal to reduce 2011 spending by only $4.7 billion, which was defeated in a vote of 42 to 58. Ayotte voted last week to cut $4 billion as part of a short-term funding bill, for a total of $61 billion in cuts.

"Facing a $1.6 trillion deficit and over $14 trillion in debt, we have to stop spending money we don't have. Federal spending is out of control, as demonstrated by last month's record level of $223 billion in deficit spending," said Ayotte. "Voters sent me to Washington to cut spending, and today's vote was part of my commitment to make government live within its means like New Hampshire families do."

Commenting on the smaller Democrat proposal, Ayotte said: "The Democrat alternative would have amounted to offsetting just over one day's worth of debt. Their proposal fundamentally fails to acknowledge the grave situation that threatens our way of life."

Source