News Release
Spratt, Becerra Appointed to President’s National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 25, 2010
WASHINGTON - Speaker Pelosi, yesterday, named two Budget Committee members to the President's National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform.
Statement by House Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt (D-SC).
“I am honored to be selected for the President’s National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform. Deficits are built into the structure of our budget, and they pose serious, long-term problems for our economy. The sooner we take steps to deal with these deficits, the better.“In 1997, I was among the handful who initiated and then took part in the bipartisan negotiations that hammered out the Balanced Budget Act. We put the budget in surplus for the first time in 30 years.
“As we face today’s fiscal challenge, we need to renew the search for common ground. With representation on both sides of the aisle from the House, the Senate, and the private sector, the Commission is charged with building consensus on ways to wipe out the deficit and ensure the long-run solvency of our major entitlements. It will not be easy, but it is badly needed, and I look forward to the challenge.”
Statement by Democratic Caucus Vice-Chair Xavier Becerra:
“I am honored that the Speaker has entrusted me with this important assignment. It is time for us to put America back on track, and take responsibility for the tough choices we must make to build a prosperous, debt-free future for our children. We made great progress this week by enacting legislation that drives down the deficit and delivers an improved health insurance system to the American people. I intend to devote a great deal of time and energy to this effort, and I could not have better partners in this endeavor than Chairman Spratt and Congresswoman Schakowsky.”
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Full List of Members of the President's Fiscal Commission:
Co-Chairs:
Erskine Bowles, Former White House Chief of Staff
Alan Simpson, Former Republican Senate Whip
Members:
David Cote, Chairman, CEO, and President of Honeywell
Ann Fudge, former Chairman and CEO of Young & Rubicam Brands from 2003 to 2006
Alice Rivlin, Senior fellow in the Economic Studies Program at the Brookings Institution and visiting professor at Georgetown University
Andy Stern, President of the Service Employees International Union
Rep. John Spratt (D-SC), House Budget Committee Chairman
Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-CA), Democratic Caucus Vice Chair
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Member, Energy and Commerce Committee
Rep. Dave Camp (R-MI), Ranking Member, House Ways and Means Committee
Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), Rankinig Member, House Budget Committee
Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX), Vice-Ranking Member, House Budget Committee
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senate Majority Whip
Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT), Senate Finance Committee Chairman
Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND), Senate Budget Committee Chairman
Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH), Ranking Member, Senate Budget Committee
Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID)
Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK)
