WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) issued the following statement Tuesday after the White House sent a message to Congress, pursuant to the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act, requesting the rescission of more than $15 billion in federal spending.

“Our federal government is set to spend more than $300 billion in interest payments alone this year, and those payments are set to rise significantly in coming years as federal spending continues to outpace economic growth,” Sen. Lee said.

“If we do not find the will to reduce federal spending ourselves now, at some point economic reality will force us to do it much more painfully later. That is why today’s White House request for $15 billion in spending rescissions is such a welcome first step to bringing our out of control spending habit back in line.”