(NEWSCHANNEL 3) – Lawmakers are reacting to the announcmemt from the Super Committee’s failure to reach a deal.
Upton Statement on Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction
WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Fred Upton (R-St.Joseph), chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce and a member of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, issued the following statement on congressional efforts to reduce the deficit and create jobs:
“I spent the last three months as one of 12 members who faced steep odds to find agreement, but who shared an understanding that our fiscal challenges cannot be ignored. I am bitterly disappointed that we were not able to find enough common ground to deliver the deficit reduction choices that Congress needs to make, but I am not deterred in my commitment to keep at it. Differences continue to divide us, but focusing solely on those differences serves no one. Instead of listening to the naysayers, I will continue listening to the people I serve: the folks in Michigan who have faced nearly three years of double-digit unemployment rates, but who persevere in seeking an economic comeback; the constituents who called, wrote, and spoke to me, sharing their hope for our success and their continued belief that leaders can come together for the country. They’re looking for solutions, and we’re going to keep working to deliver.
“America’s fiscal challenges did not appear overnight, and finding solutions will take time and require tough choices. no member of the Joint Select Committee planned for this process to conclude with automatic spending cuts rather than an agreement to cut more, but Congress included automatic cuts in the law to make certain that, at the end of the day, we achieved an initial deficit reduction goal. Members on both sides of the aisle and the President of the United States need to recognize that our work to get our economy back on track is far from over.
“too many people in Michigan and across the country are looking for work because job creators lack the certainty and economic confidence to grow and create jobs. Congress needs to tighten government’s belt just as families have had to tighten theirs. we need to reform the tax code so the American people aren’t left feeling like the system is stacked against them, with special benefits and loopholes for those who can afford to find them and everyone facing a massive tax hike that will squeeze middle class family budgets and stifle economic recovery. as chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, my focus is on the rapidly rising cost of health care that is driving our long-term spending growth. we can and must address each of these challenges. we can and must keep the focus on job creation and economic recovery.”
————————————
Camp Statement on Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Dave Camp (R-Midland, MI), Ways and Means Committee Chairman and member of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, released the following statement:
“America is facing a debt and jobs crisis. Congress must stop out-of-control spending, strengthen our economy and secure entitlement programs sooner, not later. it is deeply regrettable that my Democrat colleagues could not see their way to addressing these much needed reforms without at least $1 trillion in job-killing tax increases on families and employers. the failure of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction is a serious disappointment. However, I will redouble my efforts as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee to enact pro-growth tax reform that makes our tax code simpler, fairer and more competitive to generate the economic growth and jobs America needs.”
———————————–
Levin Statement on Announcement
by the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction
WASHINGTON – Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., made the following statement regarding the announcement by the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction that it was unable to reach an agreement:
“For months, I have warned that depending solely on spending cuts to address the deficit, without restoring revenue, would fail to achieve real deficit reduction while endangering important commitments to American families and the national defense. Today’s announcement brings us one step closer to that fate. I am saddened that the Republican refusal to meaningfully address our revenue shortfall now threatens draconian cuts to important defense and domestic programs.
“the idea of sequestration was to increase the pressure on all sides to compromise. we must now deal with the sequester as a whole, by doing what the Joint Select Committee has been unable to do: Create a balanced deficit reduction package that includes revenue as well as spending reductions and avoids unacceptable cuts to education, health care, defense and other vital programs.”
Lawmaker reaction to Super Committee failure
