Issue Position: Spending & Debt

Issue Position

It is impossible to discuss the state of our nation without addressing the looming disaster that is our national debt. Our current debt is over $17 trillion and increases by nearly $1.5 billion per day. In order to truly create long-term economic prosperity and get Americans back to work, we must address our addiction to spending.

While serving as Speaker of the House in Florida and Majority Leader in the Senate, I had first-hand experience with balancing our budget -- the Florida Constitution has a balanced budget requirement. I've seen the effects of runaway spending, and believe we must hold the Democratic-controlled Senate and Obama Administration accountable.

In the U.S. House of Representatives, I supported a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution and have only voted for budgets that will balance. Regrettably, over the past several years, House Democrats continually proposed budgets that never balance -- ever.

I am against earmarks, and I have pledged not to submit any earmark requests in light of our current spending deficit. I also strongly support a Legislative Line Item Veto that will help combat wasteful spending and earmarks.

I have also introduced legislation that incentivizes government agencies and departments to root out wasteful spending and become better stewards of your taxpayer dollars.

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