Fiscal Responsibility
Over the years, Democrats have shown our commitment to restoring fiscal responsibility by taking actions that have reduced our national deficit while investing in the American people’s priorities. During the 117th Congress, House Democrats delivered the landmark Inflation Reduction Act, which will reduce the deficit by over $300 billion while lowering health care and energy costs and taking action on climate change. In sharp contrast, Republicans jammed their 2017 Trump Tax Scam through Congress without a single hearing, gifting trillions of dollars in unpaid-for tax handouts to the wealthiest Americans and large corporations while leaving our nation with ballooning deficits. They have repeatedly held our economy hostage to benefit their irresponsible ideological agenda, whether creating artificial “fiscal cliffs,” shutting down the government, or bringing our nation to the brink of defaulting on its obligations. With other landmark legislation delivered during the 117th Congress, including the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the CHIPS and Science Act, Democrats have worked to invest in economic recovery, job creation, all while cutting the deficit in half last year. Democrats are committed to continuing our work to restore sound, long-term fiscal management so future generations can afford to invest in opportunities, secure the American Dream, and ensure workers have the tools to Make It In America.
“President Obama is right that there ought not be a debate over whether the United States should pay the bills it has already incurred. While the American people expect Democrats and Republicans to meet in good faith at the negotiating table to achieve a big and balanced solution to the challenge of deficit reduction, they will not tolerate any party playing partisan games with a possible default and further downgrade of our credit. America must live up to its obligations while seeking a more disciplined fiscal future. Democrats look forward to playing a positive role in this process in the weeks ahead.”
This article from National Journal today says it all:
The 5 Top Republicans Open to Shutting the Government to Get Their Way
"President Obama is correct: the time for immediate action to avert the fiscal cliff is here. If Congress does not act, in just a few days middle class families will see their taxes go up, arbitrary spending cuts will begin to take effect, and a number of additional critical items like unemployment insurance will go unaddressed. ...
MESSAGE FROM THE DEMOCRATIC WHIP
This week, House Republicans wasted time on a partisan proposal instead of working with Democrats to reach a balanced, bipartisan agreement to avoid the fiscal cliff. Instead of continuing negotiations with President Obama on a responsible solution that includes both spending cuts and new revenue to restore our country’s fiscal sustainability, House Republicans attempted to hold a vote on partisan legislation that would
“We still need to focus on not going over the cliff. Not going over the cliff is I think a priority for us. That's not good for the country, not good for the economy, not good for the confidence of the American people.”
A CNN/ORC poll out today shows that the majority of Americans find the GOP too extreme and believe they should compromise more.
So, what are House Republicans doing today? Wasting time on a political exercise instead of negotiating on a compromise to avert the fiscal cliff. Way to go team.
A look at the morning news shows Speaker Boehner is having a tough time finding the votes he needs for his “Plan B”… or rather Plan C or D, or whatever we’re up to at this point.
Politico: “The talks are stalled, and Boehner is scrambling to muscle his own bill through the House — a proposal the president has already promised to veto.”
“Clearly, the Republicans know that what they are doing today is simply a waste of time… What we’re doing today is wasting time pretending, making political points but not moving the ball forward to get to a compromise that will be necessary if we're going to avoid the sequester that nobody wants, not go over the cliff, and take very positive steps toward getting this country on a fiscally sound path.”
"I continue to be encouraged by positive signs of negotiation between the President and the Speaker. However, Speaker Boehner’s decision today to schedule a partisan vote on a ‘plan B’ is not helpful. America needs a big and balanced plan to reduce our debt, not more hollow political votes. While it is a good sign that talks continue, we need to keep the focus on negotiations to move the country forward.
Wanted to make sure you saw today's op-ed by Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) and House Committee on Science, Space and Technology Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX) in Politico about the need for a balanced solution to our deficits. To read the op-ed, click here or see below: