WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) issued the following statement today after voting in favor of the Budget Control Act that will prevent default and cut Washington spending:

“My first priority in voting today was to ensure our country did not default, which could have sent our country into economic chaos at a time when our economy is already on the brink. I will never play roulette with Kansans’ life savings.

“This agreement protects Kansas families and businesses from an even greater economic crisis than we have already experienced while stopping proposed tax increases and cutting $2.4 trillion in run-away government spending.

“Had this agreement been mine to craft and pass alone, we’d have even greater spending cuts, but as Kansans saw over the last week, we could not achieve that with a Democrat-led Senate and the Obama White House.

“The battle to control spending is far from over. I view this debt ceiling debate as the opening salvo in an on-going effort to tighten the government's fiscal belt.

“I will continue to fight for spending cuts, for debt reduction and against tax increases. Today's vote is just a first step toward regaining fiscal sanity in Washington.

“We’ll vote on a Balanced Budget Amendment this fall and we’ll continue the momentum we’ve achieved so far for greater spending cuts in every aspect of government so that your grandkids and mine can enjoy that same American dream.”

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