Congressman Tom Price (R-GA) issued the following statement regarding the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform created today by Executive Order.

“The burden of debt Washington has placed on this and future generations is quickly approaching a tipping point,” said Congressman Price. “The problem is clear, and the solution is no more a mystery: Congress must cut spending and do so now. Discretionary spending has skyrocketed under this Democrat Congress and entitlement spending has been growing unsustainably for decades. We can no longer afford to let our government live beyond our means.

“The President’s debt commission at least acknowledges that Washington’s fiscal recklessness cannot continue, but it is unfortunately a political solution to a glaring math problem. Since the President has unfairly given Democrats and liberals an over representation on the commission, the odds are high that its recommendations will be heavy on tax increases and light on spending reductions. Raising taxes and ignoring the need for structural entitlement reforms is not the right recipe for a brighter American future. It’s a recipe for a stagnant economy which steals hope and opportunity from our children.

“Congress is responsible for America’s sad fiscal state, and Congress must make the tough decisions to fix it today. If the current membership of this Congress is not capable without the crutch of a White House commission, there are certainly plenty of Americans willing to replace them.”