FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 29^th, 2011

Paulsen Statement on Budget Control Act 

WASHINGTON – Rep. Erik Paulsen (MN-03) released the following statement after voting for the Budget Control Act of 2011 which would cut $917 billion in federal spending over the next ten years, avoid a default on our nation’s debts and require Congress to send the Balance Budget Amendment to state legislatures for ratification:

I voted in favor of the plan today with great reservation.  It earned my support after recent revisions including increased spending cuts and a Balanced Budget Amendment.  It cuts more in spending than the rise in the debt ceiling, does not rely on Washington-style budget gimmicks, and most importantly, requires the desperately-needed Balanced Budget Amendment to be sent to the states before the debt ceiling is raised further.

The plan also represents a fundamental principle: job-killing tax increases are off the table. The debate is squarely where it belongs: how we cut the wasteful spending that is putting America at risk. 

While this plan is clearly better than the President’s or the Senate’s approach, it is far from perfect. It inadequately addresses the failure of Washington – under Democrats and Republicans alike – to cope immediately with our nation’s reckless spending binge, which has created a mountain of debt for our children and grandchildren.

Paulsen, a champion of small business and advocate of free enterprise, entrepreneurship, and innovation currently serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, and is co-chair of the Congressional Korea-U.S. Free Trade Working Group and co-chair of the House Medical Technology Caucus.

For more information on Rep. Paulsen’s work in Congress, please visit www.paulsen.house.gov.

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