Hurt votes against debt limit increase

By: Tiffany Holland | The News & Advance
Published: June 01, 2011

Rep. Robert Hurt, R-5th District, voted Tuesday against an increase to the federal public debit limit.

The bill failed in the House by a vote of 97 to 318.

“Fifth District Virginians sent an urgent message last November that with our nation facing a $14 trillion debt and $1.6 trillion deficit, we must put an end to the unchecked and reckless government spending that hinders job growth, stalls our economic recovery, and threatens to bankrupt our nation,” said Hurt in a statement after his vote.

There is a deadline to raise the debt ceiling by Aug. 2 or the country could risk defaulting on its finances. Republicans in Congress have said repeatedly that they will not raise the debt limit of $14.3 trillion until agreements are made to cut more federal spending. Hurt has also emphasized his desire not to raise the debt ceiling.

In early March, several emails from the Virginia Tea Party were circulating that Hurt was being indecisive on his stance to raise the debt limit, but he said at that time the last thing the country needed was to raise the debt ceiling and promised to work to get spending under control.

Hurt made good on his promise Tuesday in his vote against the increase.

“By rejecting the administration’s request to raise the debt limit (on Tuesday), the House delivered on the message sent by Central and Southside Virginians, making it abundantly clear that Washington can no longer spend money we don’t have only to leave our children and grandchildren to foot the bill,” Hurt said.

The failed bill would have increased the government’s ability to borrow by $2.4 trillion, the amount that will cover the government’s bills through next year. Not a single Republican in the House voted for the increase.

“I think it is the voice of reason,” said Danville Tea Party Chairman Darriel Burnett, who supported Hurt’s vote. “In my opinion if you are maxed out beyond your capabilities the bank needs to take a look at you. And since the people support the government, we need to take a look at government.”

Burnett said he was pleased with Hurt’s vote, which he believes truly represents most of the constituents in the 5^th District.