WASHINGTON – As the deficit approaches $900 billion, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) told PJM that “deficit hawks have become an endangered species” in both the Republican and Democratic parties.

Gaetz, a member of the House Budget Committee, was asked if he thinks Congress should begin to reduce spending, given the rising deficit. The Congressional Budget Office projects that the federal deficit will surpass $1 trillion by 2022.

“Sadly, deficit hawks have become an endangered species in both parties and right now we are sucking more than a trillion dollars every year out of the private sector and using it to fund the largesse of government. But, unfortunately, with Democrats in control the House of Representatives today, the question isn’t whether we’ll cut spending, it’s by how much will we increase the deficit and increase spending and increase the burden on the next generation,” Gaetz said during an interview at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

“So we’ll try to make the case to hold the line, but this is one the sad consequences of divided government. One of the things that Republicans and Democrats have agreed on for generations is deficit spending and it’s not good for the country,” he added.