US Rep. Bill Huizenga forms bipartisan group to study national debt

U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Holland Township, announced Thursday he and other U.S. House members are forming a group to examine the nation's increasing debt and look at ways to bring it down.

Huizenga is forming the Bipartisan Fiscal Forum (BFF) with U.S. Rep. Scott Peters, D-Calif., and several other members of Congress from both parties. The group's mission is "to elevate the debt issue with their colleagues and the public while providing members of Congress with opportunities to improve the fiscal policy debate in Congress," Huizenga's office said in a news release.

“Our fiscal challenges transcend party affiliation and we want to create a place for constructive dialogue and innovative solutions through our forum," Huizenga said. The group — which is supported by the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget in Washington — has been meeting informally for a few years. Currently, the nation's debt stands at $32.5 trillion and has been steadily growing.

Huizenga's office said the growing debt threatens the nation, with interest payments over the next decade outpacing spending on Medicaid or defense and that finding a solution will require both parties to work together.

"It is all too easy and common for lawmakers to attack each other’s proposals without putting forward their own plans to address our country's fiscal problems," the statement from Huizenga's office said. "In the spirit of building trust and finding common ground, BFF participants should not attack each other but instead put forward their ideas for debate."

Contact Todd Spangler: tspangler@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter@tsspangler.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: US Rep. Bill Huizenga forms bipartisan group to study national debt