Sen. Johnson Talks Debt Ceiling

by Jeff Rusack, Reporter
January 15, 2013 5:04 PM


Fourteen-trillion-dollars is a large debt ceiling for the country. But, with the federal government expected to go past that mark in 2013, the ceiling must go up or adjustments must be made.

For Senator Tim Johnson, there's only one answer.  

“We don't have room for negotiations,” said Sen. Johnson.   

The Senator believes the debt ceiling must be raised.

President Obama recently stated, “the senate must pay their bills.”

“I've urged The President to stand his ground and not negotiate,” said Senator Johnson.

Tim Johnson reiterated a comparison the president used, saying not raising the debt ceiling would be like leaving a restaurant without paying your bill. The senator goes on to say without a bump in the debt ceiling the country will feel significant repercussions.  

“To fail at this task means that the government ultimately will shut down,” said Sen. Johnson.

Johnson says that means there would be no social security checks and other federal funded projects would receive a hit.  

But, after the debt ceiling deadline, comes the federal sequester and that's where Sen. Johnson believes negotiation will come into play, over spending cuts.

“$1.2 trillion over ten years have got to be cut, half in defense and half in domestic,” said Sen. Johnson.

With more deadlines on the horizon in Washington, Senator Johnson looks to help keep the country from falling into further financial hardship.

Senator Johnson has two more years for his senate term and says he is still unsure whether or not he will seek re-election. He did say he plans on making a decision in the spring.