Mike Pence: “I did not come here to increase the government's debt. I came here believing, as so many people I represent believe…”

“I did not come here to increase the government's debt. I came here believing, as so many people I represent believe, that if you owe debts, pay debts. I spoke to an elderly woman on a radio program in Richmond, Indiana, today in the heart of the heartland district that I represent. Mr. Speaker, she said with fear in her voice that she was worried that a conservative like me would not support raising the debt ceiling and would put at risk her Social Security check. She assumed that my loathing of red ink would cause me to vote in such a way or fail to act in such a way that it would jeopardize her benefits and the benefits of people that she loves. Well, I assured her then and I rise today to assure all of those that are listening, Mr. Speaker, that I will not do that. I truly believe if you owe debts, pay debts. I am a member of a majority in this institution that has repaid the national debt nearly a half of a trillion dollars.”