Since 2001, America's national debt has climbed 50% to $8 trillion and is continuing to rise. The Bush Administration’s record budget deficits are irresponsible and will heap vast amounts of debt onto our children and grandchildren. As of today, every man, woman and child in the United States owes a $29,000 share of the national deficit.

Middle class families have been hit especially hard by the Bush Administration’s wasteful spending. Since President Bush took office, incomes for middle class families have fallen by nearly $2,000, while the costs of health insurance, gasoline and home heating, and college tuition have soared by nearly $5,000. These discrepancies create an economic squeeze on the middle class. Congressman Lynch is working with his fellow Democrats to implement an economic plan that will bring opportunity and fiscal security to all Americans, not just the wealthy few.

Today, too many hard-working Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, struggling to make ends meet, going deeper into debt and worrying that the American Dream is further and further out of reach. That's why Congressman Lynch is fighting for a higher minimum wage, and legislation that will make health care, energy, and education affordable for all Americans. In order to bring fiscal responsibility to the Congress, Lynch supported new pay-as-you-go budget rules instituted by the new Democratic majority.  Pay-as-you-go simply means that the federal government will have to keep its books balanced, just like all working families have to.  Anytime Congress increases spending in one program, it will be required to pay for that cost with either a new revenue source or by an equal cut in other benefits. In other words, no new legislation should worsen the Bush budget deficit.