House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) released the following in anticipation of President Barack Obama’s speech Wednesday at George Washington University on solving the country’s deficit problem:
“The American people understand we can’t continue spending money we don’t have, especially when doing so is making it harder to create jobs and get our economy back on track. Chairman Ryan has put forward a responsible budget that will help spur job creation without raising taxes, stop spending money we don’t have, and lift the crushing burden of debt that threatens our children’s future.
“I’m pleased the President has finally joined the discussion, but the Ryan budget has set the bar. If the President is willing to offer serious proposals that grow our economy, preserve and protect programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, and set us on a path to pay down the national debt, we’re open to hearing them. However, if the President begins the discussion by saying we must increase taxes on the American people – as his budget does - my response will be clear: tax increases are unacceptable and are a nonstarter. We don’t have deficits because Americans are taxed too little, we have deficits because Washington spends too much. And, at a time when the American people face skyrocketing prices at the pump, energy tax hikes are a particularly bad idea.
“The irresponsible budget that the President released last month would impose a job-crushing $1.5 trillion tax hike, add $9.1 trillion to the debt over the next decade, and do nothing to address our autopilot spending. The President needs to demonstrate leadership and show American families and small businesses that he is serious about addressing Washington’s spending problem. I’m hopeful that he will use his speech to provide specific solutions, rather than more empty promises.”