Smith Statement on President Obama's Speech on Debt, Deficit Reduction

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) today issued the following statement in reaction to President Obama's speech at George Washington University.

"The President refuses to make the tough decisions necessary to get our fiscal house in order. Our responsibility to the American people is to change the status quo and stop spending money we do not have – not use budget gimmicks and disguise reality. We have debts and deficits because Washington spends too much, not because we are taxed too little. Chairman Paul Ryan's proposal, which we expect to vote on later this week, would lift the crushing burden of debt we face by cutting spending and balance the budget without raising taxes."

House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) released his budget proposal on April 5, 2011. It is expected to be debated in the U.S. House of Representatives beginning on Thursday, April 14, 2011.