Politics & Government

Ballwin's U.S. House Candidate Opposes Debt-Deal Citing Security Risks

Ann Wagner of Ballwin said the compromise President Obama signed into law Tuesday could endanger the U.S. military.

U.S. House candidate Ann Wagner of Ballwin said the nation's latest legislative measure outlining federal spending and efforts to reduce the country's debt could lead to "job-destroying tax increases" and put the U.S. military at risk.

, who is seeking the U.S. House seat presently held by Rep. Todd Akin (R-Wildwood), said she appreciated the difficult circumstances surrounding the debt deal signed into law Tuesday.

"However, I cannot support this deal," Wagner said in a written statement.

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Tuesday's deal includes the creation of a 12-member, bipartisan committee given the responsibility of deciding how to cut out more than $1.5 trillion in national spending. If the committee cannot agree on those reductions before a November 23 deadline, spending on both national defense and various social services would automatically stop as part of the deal, effectively putting members of both parties at risk.

The committee also is likely to consider federal tax increases aimed at reducing U.S. debt.

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"[T]he compromise puts our national security at risk with deep, unacceptable cuts to our national defense," Wagner said. "Finally, this deal opens the door to job-destroying tax increases. For these reasons, I do not support this debt ceiling deal."

Wagner is expected to face fellow GOP member Ed Martin in the August 2012 primaries. In a statement published Wednesday, Martin, too, said he would not have supported this week's debt measure.

"I think the immediate consequences that might befall the economy are less than those consequences of continuing on even with the thin patina of responsibility this bill affords," Martin said.


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