Ted Yoho Stands Against Raising Debt Ceiling, Shutdown Deal

U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla., came out swinging against the agreement that ends the government shutdown and raises the debt ceiling. Yoho joined 143 other congressmen in voting against it but the measure passed the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate on Wednesday.

While I am happy we will reopen the government and get Americans working again, this legislation does not adequately address the root problem that got us here in the first place, Yoho said. Our out-of-control spending has caused us to constantly borrow more and more which brings us to this point each year. Rather than constant debt ceiling increases, we should focus on cutting our spending and increasing our revenues by creating an environment of certainty by getting government out of the way of business through tax reform, regulatory reform, and health care reform.

Nothing in this legislation gives me hope that we wont be right back in this same place a few months from now, Yoho added. Rather than simply pushing decisions to another day, we should address them now. Weve raised the debt ceiling 14 times since 2001. By perpetuating that status quo, we now stand at $17 trillion in debt. That is the equivalent of owing $53,000 per American and $148,000 per taxpayer. By pushing our country more and more into debt, we will end up hurting all Americans regardless of party affiliation.