Bill Clinton Quotes

Congress must do what we said we would and find ways to pay for bills we propose so we don't leave future generations mired in debt.

There are no uncontrollable outlays except for debt interest. Outlays are what they are due to legislation.

Let us act with our eyes open. We are going to have a deficit next fiscal year and the year after that.

But I think the global economy will understand that the United States has the ability to meet its obligations. But it's not going to be able to do it over the long term if we can't control the growth of government.

Raising the debt limit on some levels is a ministerial act. It doesn't involve any new spending.

Of course we have to address the deficit if we win.

Raising the debt ceiling is not additional spending. It is simply saying, you, the United States of America, can continue to borrow the money you need to pay the bills you have already rung up.

If it took multiple debt ceiling hikes, I'd rather achieve the savings.

If we had decided on January 5, in the new House of Representatives, to make no new spending bills, the debt ceiling would've still been hit, because, those are bills that are coming in as a result of purchases and commitments made by the administration and the previous Congress.

You know, we've got to be responsible about our debt. We don't want the United States to ever be a dead beat, and not be able to pay its bills, either to our soldiers who are fighting or to Social Security recipients.

Most of the major increases in the debt ceiling have been accompanied by structural changes in the way we raise and spend money.

If you ask the question of Americans, should we pay our bills? One hundred percent would say yes. There's a significant misunderstanding on the debt ceiling. People think it's authorizing new spending. The debt ceiling doesn't authorize new spending; it allows us to pay obligations already incurred.

The answer to too much debt is not more debt; it is less debt.

The best way for the Government to maintain its credit is to pay as it goes—not by resorting to loans, but by keeping out of debt.

It's time to cut up Uncle Sam's credit card.

May the debt of the United States be discharged with speed and punctuality; and let not the people be deceived, by having the funds, established for that purpose, put to other uses.

We all have to sacrifice to reduce the debt, but we can’t sacrifice our future.

The era of deficit denial is over

Congress is not an ATM

We all have to resist the temptation to finance growth with increased debt yet again.

I always think a debt ceiling is a good tool to carry something.

We need to focus on issues where we all agree, which is spending discipline and control and making sure that government, both in Springfield and in Washington, doesn't take more from your family budget.

The people of Illinois sent me to Springfield to end the era of unbalanced budgets and runaway debt.

You have to tackle the real drivers of debt - that's mandatory spending, not discretionary.

In addition to reining in spending, taxes, tolls and fees, let's rein in how much the state borrows.