WASHINGTON – Congressman Jo Bonner, R-Alabama, joined a bipartisan majority of the House of Representatives today in voting against an increase in the federal debt limit without substantial spending cuts.

"President Obama has asked for a blank check to continue record federal red ink spending which is harmful to our economy and risks the long-term financial standing of our government," Congressman Bonner said Tuesday. 

"I voted against raising the debt ceiling without commitments from the White House to match it with substantial spending cuts.  To do otherwise is simply giving a green light to the very practices which have placed this nation under the crushing weight of massive debt. 

"The majority of Americans do not support increasing the debt limit without an agreement on spending cuts and reforms, and tonight's House vote blocking an increase in the debt ceiling is a strong signal to the White House that unchecked spending as usual is no longer an option."

Tuesday evening, the U.S. House voted 318 to 97 to defeat a measure (HR 1954) to increase the federal debt ceiling without spending cuts.  No Republicans voted to raise the debt ceiling and 82 Democrats joined with Republicans to block the debt ceiling increase.