Report: 111th Congress Added More Debt than First 100 Congresses

By Jon E. Dougherty at 28 Dec 2010

(Newsroom America) -- Though it is being hailed as the most productive legislature in a generation, the 111th Congress was also one of the hardest on the U.S. Treasury, having added more red ink to the nation's debt than the country's first 100 congresses combined, a report said Tuesday.

Cybercast News Service said an analysis of the 111th Congress' fiscal legislation found that lawmakers added more than $3.2 trillion to the nation's debt, or $10,429.64 more per person.

"The total national debt of $13,858,529,371,601.09 (or $13.859 trillion), as recorded by the U.S. Treasury at the close of business on Dec. 22, now equals $44,886.57 for every man, woman and child in the United States," the news service said, adding that it used the Treasury's own debt figures in its analysis.

The previous Congress - the 110th - was also costly, having added $1.262 trillion in new debt, the report said, noting that Democrats controlled both the 110th and 111th Congresses.

The previous two sessions - the 108th and 109th legislatures - had been the most costly, but now move to third and fourth place. Those congresses were controlled by Republicans.

Outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who will become the House Minority Leader in January when the 112th Congress seats, said at the beginning of the 110th session lawmakers would refrain from new deficit spending.

"After years of historic deficits, this 110th Congress will commit itself to a higher standard: Pay as you go, no new deficit spending," she said in the House chamber. "Our new America will provide unlimited opportunity for future generations, not burden them with mountains of debt."

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