It may not be pleasant or popular, but someone has to ask how the federal government will pay for spending, according to U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo. Enzi took on that role today in a committee executive session debate on new health spending proposals.

“We only like to do new programs that give out new money in addition to what we’ve been doing and we don’t check to see how well things are working. It’s about time that we started doing that,” said Enzi. “It does fall on me to do the unwelcomed thing of asking how it’s going to be paid for.”

Enzi said that there is never a lack of supporters for new spending proposals, and that people from all sides are passionate about important programs. He pointed out, though, that our huge national debt and chronic overspending are putting everyone in danger. The U.S. is $19 trillion in debt and adding a half trillion dollars every year. It’s borrowing at a low interest rate, but if interest were to go up to just 5 percent then taxpayer dollars that would normally go to defense or other government programs would have to go towards only paying interest on the debt.

“What I’m talking about is the need for sustainability for what we do,” Enzi said. “Everybody’s interested. They are passionate and see the need for these programs, but it’s how to see to the needs so they are sustainable that’s important.”

For more on the Health, Education, Labor and Pension executive session click here.  For more of Enzi’s comments click here.