Chuck Fleischmann votes no on raising debt cap

photo Chuck Fleischmann
Arkansas-Tennessee Live Blog

U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Tenn., voted tonight against a legislative compromise to avoid a debt default.

Fleischmann said the agreement didn't include the requirement for a Balanced Budget amendment to the constitution he said was necessary to ensure the federal government ultimately balances its books. The House voted 269-161 in favor of the measure.

"I have said all along that a debt ceiling raise must be accompanied by a Balanced Budget Amendment and significant budget reforms," Fleischmann said in a statement explaining his no vote.

"While 'Cut, Cap, and Balance', and an earlier version of the 'Budget Control Act', did these things, the bill put forth today did not do so. As Sen. Marco Rubio said this weekend, 'Compromise that is not a solution is a waste of time.' Unfortunately, the bill today did not provide real, long-term solutions," he said.

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