HELENA, Mont. – Last night, Senator Jon Tester and Democrats in Washington D.C. voted to increase the debt ceiling by $2.5 trillion, bringing the U.S. debt ceiling limit to $31.4 trillion. Montana Republican Party Chairman Don “K” Kaltschmidt released the following statement in response to the vote.“Jon Tester’s vote to increase the debt ceiling enables Joe Biden’s Build Back Broke agenda to become a reality. Let’s not forget that Democrats in Washington D.C. have already supported over $8 trillion in new spending this year prior to this increase. With inflation hitting a 40 year high and families paying more than ever for groceries, gifts, and electricity this holiday season, Montanans cannot afford more debt or frivolous government spending. Democrats have done significant damage to our nation’s economy over the past eleven months, and next November, Montana will be sending two Republican members of Congress back to Washington D.C. to help clean up the mess that Jon Tester and Joe Biden have created.”Senator Steve Daines voted against Democrats efforts to raise the debt ceiling and has continued to speak out against the “fiscal madness.”Congressman Matt Rosendale voiced his opposition to the increase following last night’s vote.