Hatch Opposes $1.1 Trillion Debt Limit Hike

Utah Senator Says, “To expect a $1.1 trillion blank check, as this bill does, is to ignore the severe challenges our nation faces unless we get our debt under control”

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement today after voting against legislation put forward by Senate Democrats to raise the nation’s debt limit by $1.1 trillion without any accompanying budget reforms or savings:

“No one wants the nation to default on its debt.  I certainly don’t.  But I’ve made my position clear for months that a debt limit increase must include government reforms that address the root cause of America’s nearly $17 trillion debt – namely our entitlement programs.  To expect a $1.1 trillion blank check, as this bill does, is to ignore the severe challenges our nation faces unless we get our debt under control.  As Congress and the White House look to resolve the fiscal impasse of opening our government and avoiding a default, we must find the courage to make some-common sense changes to these critical safety net programs to ensure they aren’t just an empty promise to both our seniors and our children and grandchildren.”

NOTE:  Hatch has put forward five entitlement reform ideas that he has shared with the President, Secretary Lew and other members of the Obama Administration.    

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