Rokita: Another Tax Put on the Children of Tomorrow

Statement

Representative Todd Rokita released the following statement after the House passed legislation to fund the federal government and extend the statutory debt limit. The bill passed the House 285-144.

"Any increase in the debt ceiling should be offset by real spending reform that puts our nation on track to a balanced budget and begins to pay down our national debt. This bill actually completes a full one-year extension of the debt ceiling without any reduction to our out-of-control spending and is yet another tax put on the children of tomorrow -- all so we can have government give us more in the here and now.

Congress had to consider this bad deal because the President and Harry Reid refused to reform or even acknowledge the severity of our fiscal problems. As the Budget Conference Committee goes forward, I hope we can have an intellectually honest discussion about the debt that sets aside the fear tactics and hysterics of the last few weeks. Our nation's $17 trillion and growing debt is gravely dangerous to our economic security, our national security, and future generations."

The legislation reopened the federal government, providing funding until January 15, 2014, and extended the statutory borrowing limit, or debt ceiling until February 7, 2014.

In addition to kicking the can down the road, the bill included $174,000 for Senator Lautenberg's widow, an apparent tradition when a Member of Congress dies, with no basis in federal statute.

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