Political Quotes

“On September 22, 2011, former Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen referred to our national debt as ``the single biggest threat to our national security.'' He was correct in his statement that the United States continues to suffer from overbearing debt and, unless immediate action is taken, future generations will face unsurmountable challenges. No one wants a future where policymakers are forced to choose between discretionary programs, like roads and bridges or educating our children, when they continue to be crowded out by mandatory spending which accounts for more than two-thirds of our annual budget. We need a strong social safety net. We need a strong national defense. We need an America where young learners can have access to a quality education and workers can receive the skills that they need to gain family-sustaining jobs and keep businesses thriving and competitive, both domestically and globally. Unfortunately, aspirations for a more prosperous America are not going to be achieved until we begin to get out from underneath this burden of debt. Mr. Speaker, since 2009, the Obama administration has added more than $7 trillion to our national debt, and today, we owe more than $18 trillion, an amount greater than the annual gross domestic product. While bipartisan agreements have led to some successes since 2011, Congress must continue to put forth a blueprint that aims to reduce deficit spending and provide a path to long-term fiscal stability.…”