Mr. Steve Lane, running for office in Tennessee’s 4th Congressional District, has signed the Coalition to Reduce Spending‘s pledge to reduce spending. The pledge stipulates that Lane will not vote for any spending without offsets elsewhere in the budget and will vote only for budgets with a path to balance.
Lane, one of several candidates challenging Representative Scott DesJarlais (R) for Tennessee’s 4th Congressional seat, joins 70 additional candidates from across the country. Previous signers include Rep. Steve Chabot (OH-1), Rep. Doug Collins (GA-9), and Rep. Mark Sanford (SC-1).
On signing, Lane released the following statement:
“We have a choice: continue along our current path of fiscal irresponsibility and debt or change direction and balance our budget so we can once again have jobs, economic growth, and prosperity. It won’t be easy, but if we don’t make this sacrifice now, our kids and grandkids won’t have a choice. They’ll be crushed under the weight of our debt. It’s time we look past the next election and start looking to the next generation.
“I am particularly pleased to join with the Coalition because the threat that debt poses to our future is the main reason I got into this race,” said Lane. “Only one of my six children is old enough to vote, yet each is already responsible for $55,000 in debt. Few office holders are willing to stand firm and make tough choices – that’s exactly what I will do as a U.S. Congressman.”
Jonathan Bydlak, president of the Coalition to Reduce Spending, released the following statement in response to the news:
“Powerful special interests in Washington push both sides to increase spending with no thought for the future. Even the most principled politicians are at risk of forgetting election promises in this environment. We need accountability now.
“We’re thrilled Mr. Lane has joined our coalition,” he added, “and citizens in Tennessee should be thrilled as well.”
The Coalition will reach out to every elected official and candidate for office with the opportunity to go on the record with regard to spending in 2014.
