WASHINGTON – Minnesota Congressman John Kline joined bipartisan opposition today to a bill to raise the debt limit to $14,294,000,000,000 ($14.3 trillion). The bill narrowly passed in the U.S. House of Representatives by a 217-212 vote.
 
“Last week, the President spoke often of ‘fiscal responsibility’ – both during his State of the Union address and again in a meeting with House Republicans – yet Speaker Pelosi today passed the largest one-time increase in the debt limit in our nation’s history,” Kline said. “Minnesotans are tired of the reckless, runaway spending that has become all too common for this Congress. I agree with the overwhelming majority of constituents who want to end the growth of this massive mountain of debt.”

 
The new debt limit increase of $1.9 trillion that passed today amounts to an increase of $6,157 per person; and $16,214 per household. It raises the national debt limit to $14.3 trillion, which amounts to $46,319 per person or $121,982 per household.
 
It has been seven weeks since majority leadership in Congress last voted to increase the debt limit – raising it by $290 billion on Dec. 16, 2009. In that time, Speaker Pelosi and majority leadership have:
Passed seven resolutions congratulating sports figures or teams;
Passed 23 resolutions honoring individuals, entities, or causes;
Passed five bills naming post offices;
Authorized $50 million to construct a new National Park in the Virgin Islands; and
Passed ZERO bills to reduce spending or lower the deficit.
 
In his fourth term in Congress, Congressman Kline is the top Republican on the House Education and Labor Committee. He also serves on the House Armed Services Committee.