Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., criticized Democrats on Newsmax on Monday for handling federal spending and debt ceiling negotiations, arguing they were "proud" to block President-elect Donald Trump's efforts to lift the ceiling while passing the pork-laden bill.
Burchett, who voted against the latest continuing resolution, voiced sharp criticism of Democrats during an appearance on "Finnerty," accusing them of opposing responsible fiscal policies while celebrating their refusal to lift the federal debt ceiling sought by Trump.
"They beat [the bill] like a dog," Burchett said of Democrats' rhetoric toward a recent spending measure. "Every dadgum one of them voted for it because what it did was... Trump wanted in this bill, he wanted to lift the debt limit. And they didn't do that."
Burchett was referencing a series of spending packages recently passed in the House. On Friday, lawmakers approved a short-term funding bill to keep the government running through March, significantly cutting a massive 1,547-page bill to just 118 pages. Despite the reductions, Burchett lamented what he viewed as wasteful spending.
"The bill that we passed had $5 billion in there for submarines, $100 million to the Coast Guard," Burchett said. "And what was most egregious to me was the Francis Scott Key Bridge… [the bridge] carried insurance, but yet we're bailing this group out."
Burchett also criticized Congress for failing to pass a full budget, noting that the government has instead relied on continuing resolutions, which he described as "a continuation of bad spending policies."
"We have one duty under the Constitution, and that is to pass a budget," Burchett said. "In 30 years, your United States Congress has not passed a budget. Until we do that, there's still going to be a few fiscal conservatives saying enough is enough because we're $36 trillion in debt."
Burchett warned of the long-term implications of the nation's growing debt, including its burden on future generations.
"Every hundred days, we get another trillion added on to our debt," he said. "In five years, the number one issue that we'll be paying out will be interest... that's just money we're giving away to the Chinese. We're taking our great-grandchildren's legacy."
The short-term spending package passed with 34 House Republicans voting against it. While it significantly pared down the original proposal, Burchett argued it did little to address underlying fiscal problems.
"We need to get back to our constitutional duty and pass a budget," Burchett said.
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Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.
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