Source:  PRESS RELEASE, 5/31/11

Today U.S. Representative Heath Shuler released the following statement after joining an overwhelming majority of the House of Representatives to reject a bill to increase the federal debt limit.  

“Today I joined with a bipartisan majority in opposition to a bill to raise our nation’s debt ceiling. Unfortunately, the bill on the Floor today did not represent a serious attempt to address our nation’s debt or long-term fiscal health. Rather, it was nothing more than a political ploy by some in the leadership of House Republicans to advance their own political message. Serious Members on both sides of the aisle understand that the national debt is a real problem and any proposal to raise the debt ceiling must be accompanied by real fiscal reform and spending cuts. I am disappointed some have chosen to waste time with partisan games instead of getting down to the serious work that needs to be done. I will continue pushing for bipartisan solutions like those in the Blue Dog Benchmarks for Fiscal Reform to responsibly reduce the deficit, get spending under control, and put our country on a fiscally sustainable path.”