Deborah Koff Ross: “this evening I rise on behalf of the 37-member strong fiscally conservative democratic Blue Dog coalition. We are 37…”

“this evening I rise on behalf of the 37-member strong fiscally conservative democratic Blue Dog coalition. We are 37 fiscally conservative Democrats that are united in the name of fiscal discipline and common sense. We are very concerned about the debt, the deficit, and the future of this country that we are leaving for our children and grandchildren. As you can see right here, today, the United States national debt is $8,369,917,837,082 and some change. And if we divide that number by every man, woman, and child, including those being born today, everyone in America's share, including the children, amounts to about $28,000. It is what we call the debt tax, D-E-B-T, and that is one tax that cannot go away until we get our Nation's fiscal house in order. Because, Mr. Speaker, you see, our Nation is spending about $.5 billion a day not paying principal but simply paying interest on the national debt. One half billion dollars a day. Give me 3 days' interest on the national debt and I can build Interstate 69 through Arkansas. Give me another 3 days' interest on the national debt and I can complete Interstate 49 in Arkansas. Give me less than a day's interest on the national debt, and I can complete the Hot Springs Expressway. Give me less than a day's interest on the national debt, and I can complete I-530 through Arkansas.…”