Washington, D.C.– U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following statement on the Senate Floor Thursday regarding Senate Republican’s opposition to the President’s request to increase the nation’s debt limit:

“A few weeks ago, President Obama asked Congress to raise the nation’s debt limit. Today, virtually every Republican in the Senate will oppose that request.

“Washington needs to start spending less than it takes in. And our future will always be uncertain and our economy in danger as long as the President fails to lead on this crucial issue.

“President Obama’s record on this issue is clear.

“On the day he took office, the nation’s debt stood at $10.6 trillion. Today, it’s $15.2 trillion.

“More spending, more debt, fewer jobs: that’s what we’ve gotten from this administration. And now they want to make it worse.

“Look: we should be working together to lower the debt, not having votes to increase it. But the President must be willing to face this crisis head on. He must be willing to acknowledge how serious this issue is.

“Most Americans understand that we can’t keep spending money we don’t have on programs we don’t need.

“Unfortunately, this President doesn’t seem to be one of them. He’s got no plan to get this crisis under control. And he continues to act as if it isn’t a priority.

“Has he noticed how that’s working out for Europe?

“Americans are worried. And they’re frustrated.

“Middle class families are doing without. Why can’t Washington?

“We’ll, we believe it can.

“So Republicans today will send a simple message to the White House: no more blank checks.

“Democrats have been in charge of the Senate and the White House for three years.

“They’ve had the time they need to figure this out.

“They’ve chosen the path of blame instead.

“They’ve had their chance.

“They’ve made it worse.

“We must do better.”

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