Today, Representative Ed Royce (R-CA) voted against H.R. 1954, legislation to implement the President’s request to increase the debt limit without including significant spending cuts. Following the vote, Royce issued the following statement:

"Today, I voted against legislation requested by the president to raise the debt ceiling without any spending cuts or budget reforms. Mr. President, simply kicking the can down the road is not an option.

"Under the president’s plan Washington will spend 27 percent of our nation’s GDP in the coming years, far above the historical average of 19.8 percent. This level of spending is unsustainable. It will lead to an economic crisis that will lower living standards and burden future generations.

"Knowing of this looming crisis, it would be irresponsible to honor the president’s request and issue yet another blank check without substantive spending cuts and budget reforms. The era of reckless spending must be behind us.

"Until the Administration comes to the table with a real plan to rein in our debt and balance the federal budget, I will continue to oppose a debt limit increase and I encourage my colleagues to do the same."

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