Washington -
As we get closer to the Administration’s projected August 2, 2011, deadline for raising the debt limit, my constituents are concerned we will not keep promises made to seniors, veterans, and military personnel. For this reason, I am introducing the Ensuring America’s Promises Act of 2011, H.R. 2534, which statutorily directs the following obligations continue should the debt limit be reached, now or in the future:
· Interest on the debt
· Military active duty pay
· Social Security benefits
· Medicare benefits
· Veterans benefits
In August the United States government is projected to take in $172.4 billion in revenues. For the month, interest on the debt ($29 billion), military active duty pay ($2.9 billion), Social Security benefits ($49.2 billion), Medicare benefits ($28.6 billion) and Veterans Affairs programs ($2.9 billion) are projected to total $112.6 billion.
President Obama and this Administration have the ability to prioritize and pay these expenditures as the numbers clearly show, but instead are choosing the basest of political tactics – fear and deception.
This legislation ensures our country’s fundamental obligations are not threatened by political gamesmanship. Seniors, veterans, and military personnel deserve to know with certainty they will be provided for, and this bill provides that certainty.
