During Wednesday’s vote to amend a Senate bill to raise the debt ceiling fell nearly down party lines with all five members of Oklahoma’s House Delegation voting against the measure favored by Democrats. The vote was 219 to 212 and advances back to the U.S. Senate.
Congressman Tom Cole says Democrats will have to figure a way forward on their own since they did not engage Republicans during their spending push.
“Regarding this current situation, Republicans have made it known for months that they would not support raising the debt limit as long as Democrats peddle their bloated and irresponsible spending plans and socialist-style policies. Since the beginning of the year, Democrats have been pushing their radical and wildly expensive policy agenda despite having the bare minimum of a majority in both the House and Senate. The results have been shocking: more big government socialism, increased spending, rising inflation and higher taxes. Just as Democrats have been perfectly fine with moving their radical policies alone, they should also take ownership of the need to address the debt limit – on their own. After all, their desire to suspend the debt limit through the end of 2022, without restriction, is clearly intended to provide a blank check for their spending binge of unprecedented proportions.”
Congressman Frank Lucas echoed Cole’s sentiment.
“Since the beginning of this Congress, Congressional Democrats have sidestepped having to work with Republicans by using a fast-track, party-line procedure to advance their partisan agenda. Throughout the last election cycle, Democrats campaigned on needing to control government spending on their own- and with a unified Democratic government they now own that responsibility,” said Lucas. “I remain opposed to lifting the debt limit allowing the Majority to spend irresponsible amounts of the taxpayer’s money. For the sake of the full faith and credit of our nation, Congressional Democrats should end their political posturing and either begin the budget process to raise the debt ceiling or drop their reckless tax and spending plan. But in the meantime, Democrats will not get bipartisan support to borrow money to spend historic sums on their partisan reconciliation package.”
Congresswoman Stephanie Bice said the debt ceiling issue is only one part of the picture.
“Suspending the debt limit is one more step toward fulfilling the Democrats’ tax and spend agenda. During a time of unprecedented inflation, increased taxes and the highest spending levels in American history, Congress should be focused on reining in expenditures, not giving the Majority a blank check. We must return our focus to commonsense budgeting and considerate use of taxpayers’ dollars or future generations will pay the price.”
