Fleming Bill Says NO to Power Grab on Spending “Only Congress should decide our debt ceiling. The president's blank check request needs a resounding NO from Congress.” Congress must not surrender its power over setting the debt ceiling. That’s why I introduced H.Res. 826, a resolution giving the House of Representatives an opportunity to reject President Obama’s attempt to control the debt ceiling. Washington has forgotten how to live within a budget. From bailouts and the failed stimulus bill, to the government takeover of health care, Americans are sick and tired of Washington's overzealous spending and its disregard of constitutional boundaries. We are in our fifth straight year of trillion dollar annual deficits, and the president believes that – despite the Constitution – the power of deciding how much more debt the government can accumulate belongs to him instead of Congress. The president is asking for a blank check, and he wants Congress to abdicate power to him so he can raise the debt ceiling as he pleases. H.Res. 826 affirms the value of our three-part government, and the checks and balances that keep the pendulum from sticking in the liberal position. Giving the president the ability to raise the debt ceiling– without congressional authority– would be giving him power far beyond anything the Constitution intended. H. Res. 826 must be passed to remind the president that Congress will not surrender its power. Together, we can continue to make sure our government remains as our forefathers intended. Sincerely, JOHN FLEMING, M.D. Member of Congress P.S. If you’d like more information, please take a minute to visit my website at www.fleming.house.gov or follow me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/repjohnfleming or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/repfleming