Congressman Charles Bass

Signs bipartisan letter with 99 other colleagues encouraging Supercommittee to "go big"

November 2, 2011

WASHINGTON – Congressman Charles F. Bass (NH-02) joined 99 Republican and Democratic colleagues today in urging the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to keep all options for spending cuts and revenues on the table as they draft a plan to find at least $1.2 trillion in savings through the next 10 years.

Bass said:

"I supported the debt limit deal in August even though it wasn't perfect because we needed to get our economy back on track and avoid a default. The Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, which was formed as a result of the debt limit deal, has a real opportunity to make significant changes in the way Washington spends taxpayers' hard-earned money. Congress has a chance to show the American people that we can work across party lines to make these tough decisions and avoid leaving our children and grandchildren with a mountain of debt and deficits. And to accomplish this worthwhile goal, we should leave all options on the table for spending reductions and revenue.

"I was proud to sign this letter and look forward to carefully reviewing the Committee's plan once it's finalized."

The Committee faces a November 23rd deadline to present its plan for deficit reduction to the full House and Senate for approval.

The text of the bipartisan letter sent to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction is below:

November 2, 2011

Dear Congressman Hensarling, Senator Murray, and Members of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction:

We write to you as a bipartisan group of representatives from across the political spectrum in the belief that the success of your committee is vital to our country's future. We know that many in Washington and around the country do not believe we in the Congress and those within your committee can successfully meet this challenge. We believe that we can and we must.

To succeed, all options for mandatory and discretionary spending and revenues must be on the table. In addition, we know from other bipartisan frameworks that a target of some $4 trillion in deficit reduction is necessary to stabilize our debt as a share of the economy and assure America's fiscal well-being.

Our country needs our honest, bipartisan judgment and our political courage. Your committee has been given a unique opportunity and authority to act. We are prepared to support you in this effort.

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