WASHINGTON – House Republican Conference Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) issued the following statement today regarding the Democrats’ continued abdication of leadership on the matter of cutting spending to grow the economy and keeping the government operating for the American people.

“Our spending-driven debt crisis is costing the American people the job growth they’re depending on and condemning our children and grandchildren to a bankrupt future they don’t deserve.  There is only one real solution to reversing this crisis: the federal government must stop spending money it doesn’t have.

“It has been 34 days since the House passed H.R.1 to reduce job-destroying spending and keep the government operating for the American people. 34 days later, Senate Democrats, led by Harry Reid, continue to sit on their hands while Republicans lead the fight against our nation’s debt, what the President’s Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff called ‘the single greatest threat to national security.’

“Last year, House and Senate Democrats failed to produce or even propose a budget to fund the government this fiscal year. This year, they have failed to produce any credible plans that cut spending in order to grow the economy. 

“Every employer knows that historic debt will lead to historic tax increases, which will result in historic unemployment for Americans. Washington has an urgent responsibility to solve our nation’s spending-driven debt crisis today in order to save the American dream for our children tomorrow.  Republicans are proud to be leading this fight, and we are waiting for the Democrats to do the right thing and join us.

“The greatest impediment to job growth today is uncertainty: uncertainty about our debt, uncertainty about costly regulations like ObamaCare, and uncertainty about our tax structure.  Today is the day that Senate Democrats must follow our lead and help address the uncertainty about our debt crisis”