(Washington) The House of Representatives approved a $1.9 trillion increase in the nation’s debt ceiling to $14,294,000,000,000 or 14.2 trillion. This is the sixth time in the last three years that Congress has increased the debt limit and the single largest one-time increase in history. Graves opposed the measure saying that it simply continued the uncontrolled spending coming out of Washington.

“This Congress has maxed out our credit card,” said Graves. “Instead of finding a way to pay it off, they want to kick the can down the road by borrowing more. We ought to be talking about reducing our debt, not piling more on our children and grandchildren.”

Earlier this week, the Obama Administration introduced a $3.8 trillion budget that would spend $1.6 trillion more than the government will receive this year. Last year’s budget deficit was a record $1.4 trillion.

“We simply cannot afford to spend $1.6 trillion more than we have every year,” said Graves. “We need to tighten our belt and spend within our means just like Missourians do every day.”

H.J. Res 45 passed on a 217-212 vote. It passed the Senate last month and now goes to the President for his signature.

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