WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today released the following statement after voting against the newest proposal to raise the debt ceiling.  Rehberg has already voted for two separate debt packages to prevent default.

“Let’s do what’s best for Montana and America, both in the short-term by avoiding default and the long term by making bold decisions today so this doesn’t happen again.  And that means preventing tax increases, protecting Social Security and Medicare and passing a Balanced Budget Amendment.  And that’s exactly what I’ve already voted to do – twice – by supporting solutions to increase the debt limit while creating critical spending controls to fix this problem once and for all.  The only sure-fire way to stop the politicians from spending money we don’t have is by passing a Balanced Budget Amendment as part of the plan to increase the debt limit.  A Balanced Budget Amendment is good enough for Montana and it ought to be good enough for Congress.  Unfortunately, today’s legislation, while well-intentioned, is little more than business as usual for Washington.  It contains more budget gimmicks, another commission, the possibility of tax increases and delay tactics to push the tough choices off until after the next election.  But we simply cannot afford to wait any longer.  Before allowing Washington to add nearly $10,000 more to the tab of every man, woman and child in this country, let’s do everything we can to prevent it from happening again.”