WASHINGTON, D.C.— Congressman Tom Rice (SC-07) released the following statement regarding H.R. 1314, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015:

“Reckless Washington spending is killing American jobs and placing a mountain of debt on the backs of our children and grandchildren.

“The Bipartisan Budget Act was crafted in secret and pushed through Congress with little time for debate or consideration, and no opportunity to vote on amendments. This deal steals money from social security retirees to cover shortfalls in the disability program, breaks measures meant to restrain spending, increases our national debt by $1.5 trillion, and lacks reasonable spending reductions.  

“Our country must start operating on a budget that balances, pays down the national debt, and reins in spending. Unfortunately, this budget deal does not achieve these goals.”