[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 141 (Thursday, October 10, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H6476]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
OBAMACARE AND OUR NATIONAL DEBT
(Mr. BARR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. BARR. Mr. Speaker, in the context of the debate that is going on
in the country right now about how we get our national finances in
order, I think it is very important to remember that it would be unfair
for future generations of Americans--for our kids and our grandkids--if
we raise the debt ceiling without making the reforms necessary to get
government spending under control. No one wants to default on our
national debt, but no one should want to leave mountains of debt to our
future children and grandchildren.
Congress must continue to focus on reforming government to avert a
national debt crisis. The President says ObamaCare shouldn't be part of
the discussion related to funding the government or to raising the debt
limit, but ObamaCare is fundamentally connected to spending and debt.
The President's signature health care law, after all, was passed
through the reconciliation process, which is reserved exclusively for
budget-related bills.
For those who use this special budget process to now say that it is
not budget-related is very cynical. ObamaCare's projected cost has more
than doubled since the President originally claimed it would reduce the
deficit. It will cost this country $2 trillion over the next 10 years.
I urge everyone to remember that ObamaCare is part of the discussion
about how we reduce our national debt.
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