News Releases

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) spoke on the U.S. Senate Floor and issued the following statement to express his opposition to the two-year budget agreement. Sen. Moran has repeatedly voted against lifting the debt ceiling and believes it is irresponsible to increase spending without serious cuts to entitlements:

“Congress’ borrowing power is firmly rooted in our constitutional tradition, and the debt limit is an important tool to force us to maintain, or in recent years, regain a grip on fiscal responsibility. Congress may be able to suspend the debt ceiling, but it can’t suspend reality. 

“Expenditures on entitlements – Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid – continue to rise as more Americans retire and fewer workers replace them. As a result, over the next few decades, our debt will grow to more than three times the size of our entire economy. During my time in Congress, I have voted against lifting the debt ceiling because it is irresponsible to lift it without serious changes to the way we spend money. This budget deal does far too little to put us on the path toward fiscal solvency.

“The debate on government spending is often seen as a philosophical or academic, or an opportunity for more partisan point scoring here in Washington. The reality is our out-of-control government borrowing and spending is a moral issue, and it has very real consequences on the lives of Americans. Each time Congress lifts the debt ceiling without genuine and substantial reductions in spending, it undermines our nation’s long-term economic health and reduces the ability of our children and grandchildren to pursue the American Dream.

“The time to correct our failures is now. We know what is going to happen if we don’t act, and it is immoral for us to look the other way. The consequences of failing to tackle our debt crisis are far greater than failing to lift the debt ceiling yet again.”

Click here to view Sen. Moran’s speech on the U.S. Senate Floor.

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