Congressman Tom Price (R-GA) issued the following statement as President Obama’s fiscal commission held its first meeting today.

“Washington’s reckless overspending is a threat to America’s long-term economic health, but it doesn’t take a special commission to understand the solution,” said Congressman Price. “Congress could reduce Washington’s overspending and debt today; Democrats simply lack the will to do it. There is no need to sit around all year waiting for a commission to deliver the obvious verdict that spending is too high.

“While they lack the will or desire to reduce spending, Democrats have proven themselves perfectly happy to impose job-killing tax hikes on an economy that is already struggling to create jobs. If spendthrift Democrats choose to use this commission as political cover for hitting Americans with a value-added tax or other tax hikes, they are making an enormous mistake.

“America is at a crossroads. We can continue to put off the tough decisions and accept high taxes and a stagnant economy for generations to come, or we can choose to rein in federal spending and debt and allow the job creators in our economy to flourish. No commission is necessary to make the right choice. It simply requires trust in the innovative and job-creating power of Americans’ entrepreneurial spirit.”