Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) issued the following statement about the United States' national debt reaching $20 trillion for the first time in history:

“Our national debt has grown nearly $10 trillion in ten years and the federal government, unfortunately, has no plan on how or when to pay it down. Each dollar added to our debt is a dollar lost from critical investments in American roads, bridges, healthcare, schools, and other essential services. This pattern of reckless, uncontrolled spending threatens the future of our country and ensures our children and grandchildren have a bleak financial future. Congress must cut spending and recognize that we do not have a no-limit credit card to fund everything everyone wants. Like hard-working Idahoans, the federal government must prioritize, budget, and say no to things that are not absolute essentials. We have to get our fiscal house in order before it’s too late. In daily terms, the U.S. adds over $1.5 BILLION to its debt EVERY DAY!”