Pearce Explains Reid Bill

Steve Pearce

Washington, DC (July 30, 2011) Today, Congressman Steve Pearce joined his colleagues in the House to vote down H.R. 2693, a debt limit increase proposed by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
“Americans have been clear: no more budget tricks, no more accounting gimmicks, no more empty promises,” said Pearce. “Now is the time to change our course and get our debt under control. The American people said in November that they want change; they want Washington to stop spending money we don’t have. Today’s legislation simply does not show that Washington is listening. It contains accounting gimmicks to exaggerate its savings, and it does not provide the lasting, structural reform we need. The House has passed two bills for long-term debt solutions. Now is the time for the Senate and President to set aside party politics and join the House in finding a solution to our crushing debt crisis.”

While Rep. Pearce hopes an agreement can be reached before the deadline, he will not support a debt limit increase that does not include fundamental, lasting solutions to America’s debt crisis. Last week, he joined colleagues in the House from both sides of the aisle to pass the “Cut, Cap, and Balance Act of 2011.” Yesterday, he voted in favor of another plan, the “Budget Control Act of 2011.” He encourages the Senate and the President to join the House in passing a plan for significant, long-term debt solutions.

“Job creation, not temporary cuts, will be the key to truly solving our national debt problem,” Pearce explained. “We need to reform the burdensome taxes and unnecessary regulations that are preventing small businesses across America from creating the jobs we need. Only by putting Americans back to work can we hope to truly solve our debt crisis.”

Rep. Pearce has been in active communication with constituents on the debt limit issue, including discussions at town hall meetings, email surveys, on Facebook, and through other interaction. On Thursday, he reached out to 40,000 New Mexicans through a telephone town hall meeting to seek further input. The vast majority of constituents on the call favored the House’s “Cut, Cap, and Balance” plan that Rep. Pearce voted for last week, and nearly a third favored the compromise passed by the House yesterday.