Washington, DC – U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14) today released the following statement on the news that the national debt has reached $15 trillion.

"Today marks a sobering day in America, as our nation's debt has reached an unprecedented $15 trillion," said Hultgren. "This spending-driven debt crisis poses a grave threat to our country’s economic recovery, our national security and sovereignty, and the standard of living for future generations. Either we stop spending money we don’t have or we condemn our children and grandchildren to a bankrupt future they don’t deserve.

"This is why, tomorrow, I look forward to supporting a bold spending reform: a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Spending pledges, caps, and commitments are always temporary because we have no way to hold future Congresses accountable. That's why we need the permanent solution that a Balanced Budget Amendment will provide.

"As Ronald Reagan said in 1982, 'Only a constitutional amendment will do the job. We’ve tried the carrot, and it failed. With the stick of a Balanced Budget Amendment, we can stop government squandering, overtaxing ways, and save our economy.'"