U.S. Debt and Spending

The federal government is now over $18 trillion in debt.  It’s an ongoing spending-driven problem – we keep spending money we just don’t have.

To better understand the scope of this problem, let’s suppose the U.S. is a family.  Right now the family income is $28,000, but they spend $35,000 a year -- $7,000 more than they can afford, and no savings.  What’s worse?  After all this spending, the family gets another credit card bill – and they owe $176,000.  What kind of future does this family have? 

I'm trying to turn that future around so we can increase opportunity for current and future generations.

It is time to make difficult decisions to cut government spending and put an end to budget tricks, accounting gimmicks, and empty promises.  So every vote I make will be governed by two principals.  First, does it reduce spending?  Second, does it improve our economy?

I’ve worked with my colleagues to introduce a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution, and a bill to require a two-thirds majority vote in Congress before we can raise our debt limit. We will not get our country back on track until we address the drivers of our debt.   

Learning Center

House Republican's Path to Prosperity: A Responsible, Balanced Budget

Translating Washington-Speak: Budget, Appropriations, Sequester, and Debt Limit

The difference between the debt and the deficit

What's your share of our national debt?