Washington, D.C.– U.S. Representative Chip Cravaack (MN-8) released the following statement regarding the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction’s announcement that it has failed to identify at least $1.5 trillion in future spending, which would trigger $1.2 trillion of automatic spending cuts over a ten year period beginning in 2013: 

“It was my sincere hope that both sides of the aisle could have reached an agreement for the sake of the American people, and that this kind of political gridlock will not persist at the expense of our children, our men and women in uniform, and our national security. 

“This is yet another outrageous failure by Washington to set aside partisan bickering for the well being of our great nation.

“I voted against the Budget Control Act’s establishment of the ‘supercommittee’ because it did nothing to solve our debt crisis and would lead to even more gridlock.  My concerns sadly appear to have been justified with the shameless disintegration of this process into nothing but political finger-pointing.

“We must come together to identify common-sense solutions.  I stand ready to work with any of my colleagues in Congress, regardless of party affiliation, to rein in our soaring national debt.”  

Rep. Cravaack serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee – where he is Vice Chair of the Aviation Subcommittee – the Homeland Security Committee, and the Science, Space and Technology Committee. The 8th Congressional District covers 18 counties in Northeast Minnesota. 

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