Fleming: Budget Deal Grants White House Demands to Increase Federal Spending

Congressman John Fleming, M.D. released the following statement after voting against H.R. 1314, the Bipartisan Budget Agreement of 2015 that will raise the debt ceiling by $1.5 trillion without a plan to curtail federal government spending:

"House and Senate Leadership finished negotiations this week with the White House on a budget deal that gives the President exactly what he demanded: more federal spending. This Bipartisan Budget Agreement unilaterally lifts the debt ceiling, giving the Administration a blank check until the spring of 2017. If that wasn't enough, the bill also dramatically increases federal spending, completely ignoring budgetary restraints put in place in 2011. Despite the $80 billion increase over two years, the allocation of resources still falls short on equipping the United States Military. Instead of showing support for our troops, this President is holding them hostage.

"Simply stealing from the Social Security Trust Fund to fabricate a rescue of the Social Security Disability Program is irresponsible and dangerous, and merely accelerates the default date of Social Security itself. This country is in dire need of concrete entitlement reform, an element sorely lacking in today's closed-door deal.

"Hardworking individuals and families know how to create and stick to a responsible budget; we cannot blame them for expecting the same from their government. This deal is irresponsible and I could not support it."

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