WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) released the following statement after voting for the motion to proceed with consideration of H.J.Res.98, a joint resolution of disapproval regarding the President’s request to raise the debt limit:

“Our debt has grown by $4.61 trillion since the beginning of 2009.  This level of spending is unsustainable and the basis for the fierce debate over raising the debt ceiling last summer."

“I opposed the President’s request because we need a plan that cuts spending and balances the budget.  The excessive spending in Washington must be addressed now, not later.  If we do not take the appropriate steps to get our fiscal house in order, we risk going the direction of Greece, Italy and Portugal, each facing economic crises that have pushed them to the brink of default.”

“The President continues to turn his back on our out-of-control spending instead of providing solutions to this growing problem. We failed to reach a compromise last year so we still need to put constraints in place that force Washington to cut costs.”