U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) today voted against a short term deal that would raise the debt limit and fund the federal government, but failed to address runaway spending and the crippling effects of Obamacare.

“We are $17 trillion in debt, and looming mandatory spending obligations threaten to increase our debt exponentially,” Roberts said. “The current shutdown and debt crisis are severe, but if we fail to address government spending, we will be looking at a permanent shutdown. We will be faced with bankruptcy.

“Debt limits were put into place to encourage debate and negotiation over out-of-control government spending. This deal breaks with that spirit.

“It is startling that the president continues to deny that there are catastrophic problems with Obamacare. We are going to see more problems pile up, and I see no way out for Kansas families because the problems are so large and systemic. I renew my call on Secretary Sebelius to resign in light of the failures that she repeatedly ignored.

“This deal fails on spending. This deal fails on Obamacare. Future negotiations based on this deal will likely fail as well. We cannot afford to kick the can down the road again.”