2013 Budget Discussion

One big issue to be sorted out before the end of 2013 is our budget. As you know, the Senate finally agreed to form a Conference Committee with the House to come to a resolution on our budget. The aim is to produce a plan to fund the government for the rest of FY2014. The Committee has set a goal of reaching an agreement by December 13. If they don’t meet that self-imposed deadline, there are no immediate consequences. But on January 15, we come up against a hard deadline. That’s when the current continuing resolution expires.

I’m not on the Budget Conference Committee, but I’ve made my priorities clear: We need to address our growing debt instead of kicking the can down the road – so that we can protect our economy and America’s legacy. Our $17 trillion in debt isn’t going to disappear on its own. We need to start taking steps to reduce our spending and recommit ourselves to responsible government. That’s why I’ve introduced a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution, as well as a bill that requires any increase in the debt limit to be considered as a stand-alone bill and pass with a supermajority of two-thirds. I’ll keep fighting on your behalf to reduce the burden of our national debt.