Press Releases

U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, MI-02, released the following statement after voting for the Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA) last night which provided economic security for America and government spending controls.  The bill passed the House of Representatives 269-161, and the Senate 74-26.

Huizenga said: "While this bill is not ideal by any means, the consequences of failing to move ahead to control spending are too high for America. The House has managed to pull President Obama and Senate Democrats a long way from the start of this spending debate, when they asked for and we rejected a blank check for more of their out-of-control government spending. How long did they think we could go on like this, spending money we don’t have before a greater crisis hits? We need real reforms, and now. That's why this new majority in the House and I were elected.

It wasn’t a pretty or easy process, but in the end, we didn't give Senate Democrats or President Obama the blank check they were asking for. We didn't raise taxes. We didn't let the President take a single dollar from Social Security, veteran or Medicare benefits, or troop pay.

The House nor I refused to give in on all that because we believe it’s time Washington started tightening its belt and learn to do more with less, just like American families have had to.

The House ultimately passed three bills, including this one, which cuts some spending, installs government spending controls, and forges a path toward accountability with the Balanced Budget Amendment provision. We told the President and Senate: enough is enough, and moved the trajectory of spending towards the long-term path of economic security for America. These initial cuts are small, smaller than I want them to be, but they are the start of the long journey back to the fiscal discipline this country must return to.

The simple truth is, the fight toward controlling spending and ensuring accountability in how government spends your tax dollars did not end last night. I will continue to listen to my constituents and work for even deeper, faster spending cuts and smaller government so we can return America to a strong, healthy economy.

I want to keep hearing from you about how we can better do that, so please stay in touch and let me know. You can always contact my offices via the information at huizenga.house.gov/contact. Because this fight is ultimately about you: the families in the 2nd District, about our country, our way of life, and restoring confidence in the American dream.”

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