LAST UPDATED:
December 1, 2010
11:30 AM ET
On December 1, the President’s National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform issued a far-reaching debt reduction package. While noting he did not favor every provision in the plan, Chairman Conrad – a member of the Commission – said he supports it and cited the urgency of adopting a bipartisan package to avert a national fiscal crisis.
Press Release on Conrad Supporting Fiscal Commission Package - Dec. 1, 2010
Report of National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform - Dec. 1, 2010
In August and September, the Senate Budget Committee held a series of hearings on the economy. The Committee heard testimony from some of the nation’s leading private and public sector economists. Witnesses confirmed that establishing a credible plan to put the nation back on a sound long-term fiscal course is essential to the nation’s long-term economic strength.
Press Release on Conrad Keeping Budget Committee Chair - Nov. 19, 2010
Conrad Statement on Confirmation of Lew as OMB Director - Nov. 19, 2010
Release on Conrad Receiving Concord Coalition’s Economic Patriot Award - Nov. 16, 2010
Conrad Statement on Initial Bowles-Simpson Fiscal Commission Proposal - Nov. 10, 2010
Conrad Remarks at Peterson Foundation Press Conference - Nov. 9, 2010
Video of Peterson Foundation Press Conf. Launching Campaign on Debt - Nov. 9, 2010
Conrad Remarks at Hearing on Economy with CBO Director Elmendorf - Sep. 28, 2010
Charts Used at Hearing on Economy with CBO Director Elmendorf - Sep. 28, 2010
Conrad Statement on Budget Committee Vote on Lew Nomination - Sep. 23, 2010
Conrad Remarks at Hearing on Federal Response to Economic Crisis - Sep. 22, 2010
Charts Used at Hearing on Federal Response to Economic Crisis - Sep. 22, 2010
Conrad Remarks at Hearing on Nomination of Lew to OMB - Sep. 16, 2010
Conrad Statement on CBO Summer Budget Update - Aug. 19, 2010
Conrad Remarks at Hearing on Status of U.S. Economy - Aug. 3, 2010
Charts Used at Hearing on Status of U.S. Economy - Aug. 3, 2010
While OMB’s Mid-Session Review shows the deficit remaining stubbornly high in the near-term, the real challenge, and the main focus of concern, is the long-term budget outlook. As we pivot to addressing the long-term fiscal imbalance, we must be careful not to disrupt the economic recovery underway. What we should be doing now is putting in place deficit reduction policies that will kick in after the economy has more fully recovered.
Conrad Statement on OMB Mid-Session Review - Jul. 23, 2010
Conrad Statement on Nomination of Jacob Lew to be Next OMB Director - Jul. 13, 2010
Conrad Statement on CBO Report on Long-Term Budget Outlook - Jun. 30, 2010
On April 22, the Senate Budget Committee passed the Fiscal Year 2011 Senate Budget Resolution. The fiscal plan cuts spending and deficits, while making critical investments to strengthen the nation’s economic recovery and promote long-term economic growth. It cuts spending as a share of the economy by 11 percent. It cuts the deficit as a share of the economy by 70 percent, bringing the deficit down to 3.0 percent of GDP by 2015. It includes $674 billion more deficit reduction than President Obama’s budget. It cuts taxes by $780 billion. And it invests in education and energy, laying the foundation for long-term economic security.
Committee Print: FY 2011 Senate Budget Resolution - Apr. 26, 2010
Legislative Text: Committee-Passed FY 2011 Senate Budget Resolution - Apr. 26, 2010
Conrad Stmt on Budget Cmte Passage of FY 2011 Senate Budget Resolution - Apr. 22, 2010
Summary of Chairman’s Mark for FY 2011 Senate Budget Resolution - Apr. 21, 2010
Chairman’s Mark for FY 2011 Senate Budget Resolution - Apr. 21, 2010
Conrad Stmt at Markup of FY 2011 Senate Budget Resolution - Apr. 21, 2010
Charts Used at Markup of FY 2011 Senate Budget Resolution - Apr. 21, 2010
Although a strong bipartisan majority in the Senate voted in favor of the statutory Conrad-Gregg bipartisan fiscal task force, the proposal did not receive the 60 votes needed to pass. In light of that vote, President Obama’s executive order fiscal commission represents the best way forward. Importantly, the President’s commission is coupled with firm commitments from congressional leaders to bring the panel’s recommendations to a vote. With these commitments, the President’s executive order is as close as we can get to establishing a statutory commission, where the votes would be guaranteed.
Conrad Remarks at Inaugural Meeting of Bipartisan Fiscal Commission - Apr. 27, 2010
Press Release on Inaugural Meeting of Bipartisan Fiscal Commission - Apr. 27, 2010
Conrad Statement on Appointment to Bipartisan Fiscal Commission - Feb. 23, 2010
President’s Executive Order Establishing Bipartisan Fiscal Commission - Feb. 18, 2010
Conrad Statement on Creation of Bipartisan Fiscal Commission - Feb. 18, 2010
Conrad Statement on Debt Limit Vote - Jan. 28, 2010
Conrad Stmt on President Obama’s State of the Union Address - Jan. 27, 2010
On March 23, President Obama signed comprehensive health care reform into law. This legislation meets key reform benchmarks. It is fully paid for and reduces both short- and long-term deficits. When combined with the reconciliation bill, deficits will be reduced by $143 billion over the first ten years and $1.3 trillion over the second ten years. It also expands coverage to millions of Americans. It promotes choice and competition. It contains critical insurance market reforms, such as banning the denial of coverage based on pre-existing conditions. And it contains delivery system reforms that will bring us better quality care at lower costs.
Conrad Statement on Passage of Health Reconciliation “Fixer” Bill - Mar. 25, 2010
Conrad Floor Statement on Health Care Reform and Reconciliation - Mar. 23, 2010
Charts Used in Floor Statement on Health Care Reform and Reconciliation - Mar. 23, 2010
Conrad Statement on CBO Estimate of Health Reform Effort - Mar. 18, 2010
Conrad Remarks at Bipartisan Meeting on Health Reform - Feb. 25, 2010
President Obama’s Fiscal Year 2011 Budget needs to be viewed in the context of the awful hand the President has been dealt. He inherited one of the worst fiscal outlooks our country has ever seen. The budget is correctly focused on what must be our first priority: creating jobs and restoring our nation’s economic strength. But even as the federal government continues to act to get the economy back on its feet, it needs to simultaneously pivot to address the nation’s long-term debt crisis.
Conrad Remarks at Hearing on Transportation Budget - Feb. 24, 2010
Charts Used at Hearing on Transportation Budget - Feb. 24, 2010
Conrad Remarks at Hearing on Defense Budget and War Costs - Feb. 23, 2010
Charts Used at Hearing on Defense Budget and War Costs - Feb. 23, 2010
Conrad Remarks at Hearing on Targets for Fiscal Sustainability - Feb. 11, 2010
Charts Used at Hearing on Targets for Fiscal Sustainability - Feb. 11, 2010
Conrad Remarks at Hearing on Economic Outlook & Risks for Budget & Debt - Feb. 9, 2010
Charts Used at Hearing on Economic Outlook & Risks for Budget & Debt - Feb. 9, 2010
Conrad Remarks at Hearing on Budget with Treasury Secretary Geithner - Feb. 4, 2010
Charts Used at Hearing on Budget with Treasury Secretary Geithner - Feb. 4, 2010
Brief Analysis of President Obama’s FY 2011 Budget - Feb. 2, 2010
Conrad Remarks at Hearing on Budget with OMB Director - Feb. 2, 2010
Charts Used at Hearing on Budget with OMB Director Orszag - Feb. 2, 2010
Conrad Statement on President Obama’s FY 2011 Budget - Feb. 1, 2010
CBO’s January Budget and Economic Outlook again highlights the fiscal mess handed to President Obama. A severe recession and the federal response to it, two costly wars, and the large unpaid-for tax cuts of the Bush era have left the nation in a deep hole of debt that will take years to dig out of. CBO is now showing the deficit in 2010 will be $1.35 trillion, roughly unchanged from last year. While the deficit is expected to fall for several years after that, we can expect it will begin climbing again as the bulk of the baby boom generation retires and health care costs continue to rise.
Conrad Remarks at Hearing on CBO Budget and Economic Outlook - Jan. 28, 2010
Charts Used at Hearing on CBO Budget and Economic Outlook - Jan. 28, 2010
Conrad Remarks at Press Conf. on CBO Budget and Economic Outlook - Jan. 26, 2010
Charts Used in Press Conference on CBO Budget and Economic Outlook - Jan. 26, 2010
Conrad Statement on CBO Budget and Economic Outlook - Jan. 26, 2010
On December 9, Senators Conrad and Gregg introduced new legislation to create a bipartisan fiscal task force to address the nation’s long-term budget crisis. The bill establishes an 18-member task force comprised of currently-serving members of Congress and Administration officials. Everything would be on the table, including spending and revenues. The task force recommendations would be considered by Congress under expedited procedures with a vote required. A bipartisan outcome would be ensured, with 14 of 18 task force members needed to report the recommendations and supermajorities needed for final passage in both the Senate and House.
Senator Reid's Statutory PAYGO Amendment to Debt Limit Bill - Jan. 27, 2010
Press Release on Bipartisan Majority Vote for Fiscal Task Force - Jan. 26, 2010
Conrad Closing Floor Stmt on Bipartisan Fiscal Task Force Amdt - Jan. 26, 2010
Charts Used in Closing Floor Stmt on Bipartisan Fiscal Task Force Amdt - Jan. 26, 2010
Conrad Floor Stmt During Debate on Bipartisan Fiscal Task Force Amdt - Jan. 25, 2010
Charts Used in Floor Debate on Bipartisan Fiscal Task Force Amdt - Jan. 25, 2010
Conrad Stmt on President’s Support for Bipartisan Fiscal Task Force - Jan. 23, 2010
President’s Statement in Support of Bipartisan Fiscal Task Force – Jan. 23, 2010
Bipartisan Fiscal Task Force Amendment Legislative Language - Jan. 21, 2010
Conrad Floor Statement on Bipartisan Fiscal Task Force Amendment - Jan. 21, 2010
Charts Used in Floor Stmt on Bipartisan Fiscal Task Force Amendment - Jan. 21, 2010
Letter to President Obama on Bipartisan Fiscal Task Force - Dec. 24, 2009
Conrad Floor Statement on Short-Term Debt Limit Increase - Dec. 23, 2009
Charts Used in Floor Statement on Short-Term Debt Limit Increase - Dec. 23, 2009
Charts Used in Floor Statement on Senate Health Plan - Dec. 22, 2009
Conrad/Gregg Oped in The Hill on Bipartisan Fiscal Task Force – Dec. 18, 2009
Conrad Statement at HSGAC Hearing on Fiscal Task Force – Dec. 17, 2009
Charts Used at HSGAC Hearing on Fiscal Task Force - Dec. 17, 2009
Bipartisan Fiscal Task Force Legislative Language - Dec. 17, 2009
Conrad-Gregg Floor Colloquy on Bipartisan Fiscal Task Force – Dec. 10, 2009
Conrad-Gregg Press Release on Introduction of Bipartisan Fiscal Task Force - Dec. 9, 2009
Fact Sheet on Bipartisan Fiscal Task Force - Dec. 9, 2009
Conrad Remarks at Press Conference on Bipartisan Fiscal Task Force - Dec. 9, 2009
Charts Used in Press Conference on Bipartisan Fiscal Task Force – Dec. 9, 2009
Concord Coalition Statement of Support for Bipartisan Fiscal Task Force – Dec. 9, 2009
CRFB Statement of Support for Bipartisan Fiscal Task Force – – Dec. 9, 2009
Third Way Statement of Support for Bipartisan Fiscal Task – Dec. 9, 2009
Conrad-Gregg Stmt. Responding to Comments on Bipartisan Fiscal Task Force – Dec. 2, 2009
Conrad Remarks at Hearing on Bipartisan Process Proposals – Nov. 10, 2009
Charts Used in Hearing on Bipartisan Process Proposals – Nov. 10, 2009
The Senate health plan includes key health reform measures. It is fully paid for and cuts the deficit by $130 billion over the first ten years. It will save as much as $650 billion in the second ten years, with ongoing savings beyond that. It expands coverage to 94 percent of Americans. It contains critical insurance market reforms, such as banning the denial of coverage based on pre-existing conditions. And it contains delivery system reforms that will bring better quality care at lower costs.
Conrad Floor Statement on Senate Health Plan – Dec. 22, 2009
Charts Used in Floor Statement on Senate Health Plan – Dec. 22, 2009
Conrad Floor Statement on GOP Amendments to Senate Health Plan – Dec. 7, 2009
Charts Used in Floor Statement on GOP Amendments to Senate Health Plan – Dec. 7, 2009
Conrad Floor Statement on Senate Health Plan – Nov. 20, 2009
Charts Used in Floor Statement on Senate Health Plan – Nov. 20, 2009
Conrad Statement on CBO Estimate of Senate Health Plan – Nov. 19, 2009
The health care reform plan presented by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus represents a very good start in the effort to reform our nation’s health care system. The plan would promote choice and competition; reduce deficits and control costs; expand coverage; and improve the quality of care. Importantly, the plan is fully paid for over the first ten years and would bend the long-term cost curve on health care in the right way.
Conrad Statement on Official 2009 Deficit Total – Oct. 16, 2009
Charts Used in Closing Statement at Markup of Finance Health Plan – Oct. 13, 2009
Conrad Floor Statement on CBO Estimate of Finance Health Plan – Oct. 8, 2009
Charts Used in Floor Statement on CBO Estimate of Finance Health Plan – Oct. 8, 2009
Conrad Statement on CBO Estimate of Finance Health Plan – Oct. 7, 2009
Conrad Opening Statement at Markup of Baucus Health Plan – Sep. 22, 2009
Charts Used at Markup of Baucus Health Reform Plan – Sep. 22, 2009
Press Release on Baucus Health Reform Plan – Sep. 16, 2009
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