Our economy will never reach its potential until we balance the budget and begin to pay down the national debt of more than $9.5 trillion dollars. I will be dedicated to fighting for a balanced budget and responsible fiscal policies that ensure Medicare, Social Security and other important programs remain intact without burdening future generations. I am firmly committed to using “pay-as-you-go” budgeting policies in Washington, and to closing much-abused tax loopholes and offshore tax havens. We must also attack the waste and fraud that is too often found in government spending.