WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) today released the following statement regarding the failure of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to meet their deadline of trimming $1.2 trillion over the next decade:

“The Super Committee’s failure to cut federal spending is a major disappointment to me and Kansas families that don’t have the luxury of avoiding difficult cuts when they run out of money.

“We have abrogated our responsibility under regular order in the Senate to set and meet a budget that reduces a staggering debt. As a result, we face forced spending cuts that disproportionally affect the ability of our military to do the most important job our federal government has, to protect its citizens, while runaway spending programs remain untouched.

“How could Kansans not be disappointed? Unemployment remains high; our markets are teetering; we again fear another recession and the only answer my friends on the other side of the aisle can find is to raise taxes on small business and families already struggling.

“My hope now is that under this scenario, the public will raise its voice and the Congress will come back on Monday and start the debate anew to cut spending. I want to see my children and grandchildren grow and prosper in a safe and stable country. We need only to look to Greece and Italy to see the damage of inaction. Our country cannot afford it.”

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