US deficit dominates as Upton, Hoogendyk debate

Published June 12, 2012 1:05am ET



KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) — A western Michigan congressman and his Republican primary challenger are arguing over who’s the biggest deficit hawk.

U.S. Rep. Fred Upton and ex-state Rep. Jack Hoogendyk (HO’-guhn-dike) debated Sunday evening at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.

They debate again July 3 on WKZO-AM.

Hoogendyk says the federal government needs to radically cut its spending and says Congress can do it if it has “some intestinal fortitude. He says he backs a tea party and Republican Study Committee proposal to balance the federal budget in five years.

Upton says he’s worked for a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution and backed a House Republican budget plan to balance the budget in 10 years.

Upton says he wants tax rates to fall, while Hoogendyk says rates should stay the same.