Kevin Bryant

Hey guys,

It’s been a busy week in Washington so I wanted to send you an update on the situation with the debt ceiling.

In my last e-mail, I told you about the Cut, Cap & Balance plan that passed the House. This plan would make major cuts in spending immediately, cap future expenses, and force our government to live within its means by requiring a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution.  Unfortunately Harry Reid killed the plan before it could even be debated in the Senate.

Senator Reid’s actions were extremely disappointing because Cut, Cap, & Balance was the best plan I’ve seen to bring about permanent and significant spending reform in our country.

This week, Speaker Boehner brought up a second plan to address our debt crisis.  While the Speaker’s plan was well intentioned, I couldn’t support it because I believe we have to do more.  Paltry cuts and another commission won’t bring about the types of serious structural reforms needed to save the nation’s credit rating and get spending under control.

Washington is looking for a deal to solve this debt crisis, but Americans want a solution.  The world’s leading credit agencies say that if the government doesn’t change its spending trajectory that the United States will no longer be viewed as a strong investment.  This means if our country doesn’t make significant spending cuts, interest rates on mortgages and car loans will skyrocket, and Americans will likely pay more for food, fuel, and other needs.  That’s why it is so important for Congress to avoid simply making a deal that doesn’t solve our financial situation. Our children and grandchildren deserve a solution that saves them from inheriting a future filled with debt, doubt, despair, and economic decline.

As I prayed about the Speaker’s compromise plan, God put this in front of me: “Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender” -Proverbs 22:7

That’s why I stood with the entire South Carolina delegation in opposing the debt “deal” that passed the House this week, and remain deeply concerned about the compromise that’s being worked out in the Senate.

The South Carolina delegation stood strong and united in saying that we need spending reform that will change Washington for the better.  This united stance attracted the attention of the national media, here’s video from one story that ran on CBS Evening News.

I’ve had several people ask me during the past few weeks, “What can I do to help?”

1. Pray for our country, that our leaders can be bold and make the changes our nation needs
2. Forward this e-mail message along to our friends and family
3. Give me your feedback.  Hearing your concerns helps me better represent you.

Thank you for your support, God Bless, and may God continue to bless the United States of America,