“The American people can’t call their banks and arbitrarily raise their spending limits; they have to cut back and tighten their budgets to live within their means, and they expect Washington to play by the same rules.”—Rep. Scott Tipton

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Stressing that Washington needs to start spending within its means like American families and businesses, Rep. Scott Tipton (CO-R) called for a common sense, balanced approach to the debt ceiling and spending problem.

“This is not a Democrat or Republican issue, but an American issue.  It is my hope that we can come together to reach a solution that embraces the common sense principles of living within our means and acting responsibly,” Tipton said.  “We have an opportunity to cut, cap and balance, and chart a sustainable course in this country, rather than just cut and run.  This is the balanced approach that the president has been asking for.”

The Cut, Cap and Balance Act of 2011 seeks to cut $111 billion in spending in FY2012 and $5.8 trillion over ten years, cap federal spending to under 20% of GDP by 2017, and pass a balanced budget amendment for passage by the states.  Tipton plans to vote in favor of the Act later today.

Click here to see Tipton’s House floor speech on the Cut, Cap and Balance Act.

Click here to see Tipton’s House floor speech on the debt ceiling.

“Forty-nine of our fifty states have some form of a balanced budget requirement.  The President’s comment that a balanced budget is unrealistic for the federal government is out of touch,” Tipton said.  “American families and small businesses balance their budgets every day; the states do it every day; it’s time that Washington does the same. With unemployment above 8 percent for 29 consecutive months, American families know all too well what it’s like to face a real debt ceiling.  The American people can’t call their banks and arbitrarily raise their limits; they have to cut back and tighten their budgets to live within their means, and they expect Washington to play by the same rules.”

While House Republicans have passed a budget, and put forward solutions to curb Washington’s runaway spending and prevent Medicare and Social Security from going bankrupt, the President and Senate Democrats have yet to propose any plan.

“We are still waiting to see a plan from the President, and the silence has been deafening,” Tipton said.  “The President cannot continue to punt on this issue.  The time to act is now, and that’s what Republicans are doing by passing this plan to Cut, Cap, and Balance.”

What business owners are saying about the debt ceiling in the Third District:

“I’ve operated a small business for 25 years– meeting payrolls, keeping a balanced budget and never taking on more debt than we were able to payoff quickly.  It’s time Washington politicians take off their political hats, start thinking like business owners and start living within their means.  The American people and the business community want to see fundamental changes in the way Washington does business.  That means standing on principle to cut spending and putting a stop to our country’s unsustainable debt before raising the debt ceiling.”—Tom Abbott, Owner, Montrose Ford-Nissan

“If Washington can raise the debt ceiling every time they decide to spend beyond their ability to pay, then what is the point?  In my business, I can’t call the bank and tell them that I need more money if I decided to spend beyond my ability to pay.  It should be no different for Washington. Washington needs to get serious and find a solution that fixes the root of the spending problem and pay down our debt before it’s too late to reverse the course.”—Doug Simons, Owner, Enstrom Candies, Grand Junction.

“It’s time we draw a line in the sand.  We cannot continue to live off of future promises from Washington that fade away with every new spending increase.  We don’t need more lip-service from Washington promising to fix things eventually, we need them to act now and get spending under control now.  Our children’s future is at stake.”—Dean Matthews, Independent Electrical Contractor, Cortez