Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Sen. Johnson to vote against debt deal
By Sharif Durhams
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin) said Monday he won’t vote for the budget compromise that will allow the U.S. government to raise its debt ceiling.
Johnson announced his planned ‘no’ vote in a news release Monday afternoon
“Although this bill represents the first time any future spending limitations have been attached to an increase in the debt ceiling, the limitations contained in the bill fall far short of serious budget reform,” Johnson said. “President Obama requested a $2.4 trillion increase in the debt ceiling. To put that amount in perspective, it took over 200 years for America to incur that level of debt - from our nation's founding to September 30, 1987.
“Because of President Obama's out-of-control spending, his $2.4 trillion debt ceiling increase will only last until March 2013. At that time, our total debt will be $16.7 trillion - about the same size as the entire U.S. economy,” he said. “This is a key measure that signals very real financial danger.”
On the social media website Twitter, Johnson said the plan worked out over the weekend between House and Senate leaders and President Barack Obama “is simply inadequate.”
House members are expected to vote on the proposal Monday night. Both Democratic and Republican leaders are trying to rally enough votes to pass it. If the House approves the deal, the Senate would vote.
An unofficial tally Monday afternoon by the news publication The Hill indicated 51 House members will support the deal or are expected to support it while 28 are opposed or are leaning against the compromise. Ryan is listed as backing the deal. Wisconsin's other seven House members are listed as "undecided."
