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Congressman Tom Reed Tuesday called the Greek debt crisis a "stern warning" to America, advocating for the Federal government to live within its means and move toward a balanced budget.

"We should view the crises in Greece and Puerto Rico as canaries in the coal mine," Reed continued. "Countries around the world are over promising and financing obligations with borrowing.  You can't live on credit forever. People are beginning to question why their leaders didn't prevent these problems."

Reed went on to advocate for elements of his Strategic National Agenda, calling for job creation, spending reductions and reforms that stabilize entitlement programs for the long term, specifically the Social Security Disability Insurance trust fund.

"The situation in Greece was brought about by career only minded politicians and an extreme liberal progressive spending agenda.  Now the people of Greece are now paying the price for these ill fated policies," said Reed.  "I empathize with the people of Greece but now is the time to make sure Americans don't end up in a similar situation."

For example, the Social Security Disability Trust fund will reach insolvency in 2016.  If Congress fails to act by the deadline, disabled beneficiaries will see an instantaneous 20 percent reduction in payments because of the failure in leadership to address this impending crisis proactively. Earlier this Congress, Reed sponsored a rule preventing the Social Security Retirement fund from being raided to bail out the Social Security Disability Insurance fund.

"I care about those who rely on the Social Security Disability Insurance Fund; we need to make sure the fund is there for people who need it most but at the same time protect our social security retirees from the DC insider bail out proposal being considered today."  Reed continued. "It's time to lead and that is what I intend to do."

This week, the House Ways and Means Committee, of which Reed is a Member, will hold a hearing on the solvency of the Social Security Disability Insurance trust fund, and learn more about ways to ensure the system is there for future generations.

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