Bono Mack Votes for Debt Ceiling Agreement to Avoid Default

In a vote to avoid defaulting on our nation’s debt, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack, R-Palm Springs, who represent Murrieta, today supported the bipartisan Budget Control Act of 2011. 

The 269-161 vote in the House came after Republican leaders spent the day urging resistant conservatives to support the bill, The Associated Press reported.

The bill would raise the debt ceiling by more than $2 trillion and cut federal spending by a similar amount over the next decade, according to the AP report; the measure also sets a course for reducing the federal deficit in the future.

Bono Mack released a statement via email from her Washington D.C. office following the House session.

"Most importantly, this agreement preserves the full faith and credit of the United States and will cut nearly $3 trillion in spending over the next 10 years without raising taxes," Bono Mack said.

"That’s a good start--but it’s only a start. Within 25 years, interest on our nation’s debt, as well as entitlement spending, will surpass all federal revenues. Tough decisions must still be made. 

"But to save critically important programs like Social Security and Medicare, it’s imperative that we finally close the curtain on runaway deficits.

"This has been a long, contentious debate but a very important one for our country if we are going to finally end the destructive cycle of ‘buy now, pay later,'" Bono Mack said.

"While Americans remain deeply divided over a wide range of issues, people from all walks of life agree that our dramatically escalating national debt--now approaching $15 trillion-- threatens our nation’s future prosperity.

"Let’s have the debate about which programs should be cut. Let’s prioritize what we need as a nation. And let’s put America on the path to a balanced budget. In the end, we will be better off as a nation."

The Senate, where support is stronger, is expected to take up the bill on Tuesday, the deadline for Congress to act before the government loses its ability to pay all its bills, AP reported.

A special congressional committee would be set up to consider entitlement and tax changes, AP reported.