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SALT LAKE CITY -- As the nation's debt rapidly approaches the $14.4 trillion mark, and several members of Congress calling for an increase in the debt ceiling, three Utah Congressman are prepared to combat government irresponsibility.
Senators Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee, as well as Rep. Jason Chaffetz, have signed onto the "Cut, Cap and Balance pledge", which has been supported by a total of 32 Congressmen and several advocacy groups around the country.
The pledge is an attempt to oppose any debt limit increase unless Congress is able to agree upon three conditions: Make significant cuts to reduce the country's deficit, cap federal spending and pass a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution authored by Sen. Hatch.
"Our spending-fueled debt crisis isn't just the crisis of this year; it's the crisis of this generation," Hatch said. "The American people have had enough with Washington spending, skyrocketing debt, and liberals who think we can tax our way out of this crisis."
Every time we expand the debt limit, we are obligating future Americans to future financial obligations.
–Mike Lee
On Wednesday, Sen. Lee is expected to meet with former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney to persuade the front-runner Republican candidate into supporting the pledge, which has gained mass support from several conservative advocacy groups and Tea Party members.
Romney would join businessman Hermain Cain, former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty, Rep. Ron Paul and former senator Rick Santorum in support of the pledge if Lee is able to convince the former governor of the basic purpose behind the push.
With many of the top Republican candidates supporting the pledge, the pressure to address the debt crisis in the presidential election cycle is imminent, particularly with a troubled economic state of affairs weighing on the American people.
"Cut, Cap, and Balance is the single most significant reform package Congress has seen in decades," Lee said. "It forces Washington to balance its books with strict, enforceable fiscal restraints and will cut spending significantly and immediately to improve our economy and create jobs."
In an interview with Greta Van Susteren of Fox News, Lee explained the need to address the budget crisis as a "stunt buster." He said, because Congress has to commit to spending in advance, the only way to curb the spending is to amend the Constitution.
"Every time we expand the debt limit, we are obligating future Americans to future financial obligations," he said.
Sen. Hatch said raising the debt limit would be mortgaging our children's future.
"I will not allow our children and grandchildren's futures to be mortgaged to pay for liberal spending programs that our nation cannot afford," he said. "I will not allow citizens and taxpayers to have their liberty and livelihoods continually threatened by out-of-control Washington spending. It is well past time that we restore our Constitution of limited government and bring Washington spending to heel once and for all."
The meeting between Romney and Lee is expected to take place early Wednesday morning on Capitol Hill.
Email: jfurlong@ksl.com
