Coalition Letter: House Leadership, It’s Time to Play Ball or Go Home on Debt Ceiling

FreedomWorks President Adam Brandon and Club for Growth President David McIntosh released statements after the release of a coalition letter to House leadership on the debt ceiling. The letter was also signed by other conservative groups.

FreedomWorks President Adam Brandon said, “Grassroots activists fought for wins for candidates who professed to stand by the GOP platform, which actually is a pretty strong document. There’s a whole section on reducing the federal debt, and it says that ‘spending restraint is a necessary component that must be vigorously pursued.’

“As Rep. Dave Brat said in a press call yesterday, we wouldn’t accept a clean debt ceiling increase under a Democrat president, why should we accept it with a Republican president and a Republican House and Senate?

“Our activists expect significant movement toward fiscal responsibility in the debt ceiling battle. With the budget and tax reform coming up, leadership should move toward fiscal responsibility or another significant conservative win – play ball or go home.”

Club for Growth President David McIntosh said, “A ‘clean’ debt ceiling increase is just a different way to say Congress is bailing itself out. For months, Secretary Mnuchin advocated for a clean debt ceiling. That proposal was reckless enough on its own. But now, with the Senate’s intention to add Harvey spending to a debt ceiling increase, even calling it a ‘clean’ increase is a misnomer; this action is dirtier than ever. Any proposal to increase our nation’s spending ability that does not also include significant structural reforms is a recipe for disaster and will leave future generations footing the bill.”

In addition to Adam Brandon and David McIntosh, the letter was signed by Michael Needham of Heritage Action, David Williams of the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, Richard Manning of Americans for Limited Government, Phil Kerpen of American Commitment, Judson Phillips of Tea Party Nation, and Jonathan Bydlak of Coalition to Reduce Spending.

The letter is available here.