Today marks PA Rep. Lou Barletta’s 100^th day in office. The congressman has spent his time actively supporting efforts to cut federal spending to help alleviate the national debt. The Standard Speaker reports:

“My goal is to change the culture of Washington,” Barletta, R-Hazleton, said. “I believe we’ve accomplished that already in the fact that we are now arguing over how much to cut spending. That’s a complete reversal from what has happened here over the past few years.”

Barletta expressed his support for a budget proposal set forth by Rep Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin, as well as weening American dependency off foreign oil and instead utilizing Marcellus shale.

“We can turn natural gas …into liquid fuel for our cars and produce it cheaper to lower the cost of gas. There’s more natural gas under our feet in Pennsylvania than oil in Saudi Arabia. So, I’ve been on a mission to tell anyone who will hear me here in Washington.”

Democrats have a different view.

“Representative Barletta has shown his out-of-touch priorities by trying to balance the budget on the backs of Pennsylvania families and seniors,” said Josh Schwerin, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) regional press secretary. “He’s voted to cut funding for local police and border security, and now Representative Barletta is supporting a radical plan to end Medicare and increase health care costs for seniors while protecting subsidies for big oil.”