WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins released the following statement after voting against legislation to increase the nation’s debt limit by $300 billion, as well as a second “stimulus” plan. 

“Kansas families live within their means and know they cannot spend money they do not have. The State of Kansas, each year, makes difficult choices to balance its budget. But those responsible practices continue to get thrown out the door as the powers that be in Washington continue on a reckless borrowing and spending spree. Our fiscal house is in disarray, but rather than reducing spending and restoring fiscal responsibility, the majority in Congress voted today to spend more money we don’t have and sent our kids and grandkids another $300 billion IOU. 

“On the heels of the first failed “stimulus,” today the House passed another “stimulus” plan that spends billions more on many of the same programs. Before I arrived, Republicans in Washington borrowed and spent too much, but since Democrats took control of Congress in January 2007, the nation's debt has increased by 39 percent, from $8.67 trillion to $12.071 trillion. It is time to go back to the drawing board to work on a plan to draw down the debt and encourage job growth in the private sector. 

“Future generations should not have to worry about paying off the debt being racked up today. Rather than simply increasing our nation’s debt limit and continuing to spend taxpayer dollars at an alarming rate, the House should have passed legislation to install some fiscal sanity.”