[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 12 (Thursday, January 26, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S83]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         DEBT CEILING INCREASE

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, a few weeks ago President Obama asked 
Congress to raise the Nation's debt ceiling. Today virtually every 
Republican in the Senate will oppose that request. Washington needs to 
start spending less than it takes in, and our future will be uncertain 
and our economy in danger as long as the President fails to lead on 
this crucial issue.
  President Obama's record on the issue is absolutely clear. On the day 
he took office, the Nation's debt stood at $10.6 trillion. Today it is 
$15.2 trillion. More spending, more debt, fewer jobs--that is what we 
have gotten from this administration, and now they want to make it 
worse. But we should be working together to lower the debt, not having 
votes to increase it.
  The President must be willing to face this crisis head-on. He must be 
willing to acknowledge how serious this issue is. Most Americans 
understand that we cannot keep spending money we do not have on 
programs we do not need. Unfortunately, the President does not seem to 
be one of those Americans. He has no plan to get this crisis under 
control, and he continues to act as if it really is not a priority. Has 
he noticed how that is working out for Europe?
  Americans are worried and they are frustrated. Middle-class families 
are doing without. Why can't Washington? Well, we believe it can. So 
today Republicans will send a simple message to the White House: No 
more blank checks. Democrats have been in charge of the Senate and the 
White House for 3 years. They have had the time they need to figure 
this out. They have chosen the path of blame instead. They have had 
their chance. They have made it worse. We must do better.

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