Congressman Charles Bass

March 29, 2012

WASHINGTON – Congressman Charles F. Bass (NH-02) issued the following statement today after the House of Representatives passed a Fiscal Year 2013 budget resolution sponsored by Rep. Paul Ryan (WI-01) that will reduce the deficit by $5.3 trillion over 10 years and bring total government spending as a percentage of GDP to 19.8 percent (currently it stands at 23.4 percent).

Bass was a sponsor of an alternative budget plan – the only bipartisan plan – with eight other Members of Congress that was based on the recommendations set forth in the "Simpson-Bowles Commission." The plan, which failed by a vote of 38-382 last night, would have reduced the deficit by more than $4 trillion over the next 10 years by cutting spending and generating revenue through closing tax loopholes while at the same time reforming the tax code and preserving programs like Medicare and Social Security.

Bass said:

"I voted for Chairman Ryan's plan because it is a great statement of principle and recognizes that our nation's unsustainable fiscal path is putting us on a collision course for higher taxes, even more spending, and bigger government. But unfortunately it is going nowhere because the Senate Democratic Leadership won't bring it up for a vote or even a debate.

"I supported a bipartisan and balanced plan that would get our nation back on track by cutting spending and reforming the tax code to make it simpler, fairer, and more competitive. While I'm disappointed it failed to pass last night, it was an important debate to have and one that the American people deserve and expect from Congress.

"As I've said before, I didn't come back to Congress to avoid making tough decisions or difficult votes. With bigger issues looming in the near future like automatic across-the-board cuts and the expiration of the tax cuts, Congress can and must do better than partisan squabbling and posturing to solve these problems. I will continue seeking opportunities to find common ground and work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to solve these crises together."

Bass was one of 99 Members in the so-called "Go Big" Coalition last fall that pushed the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to keep all options for spending cuts and revenues on the table during consideration of a deficit reduction plan.

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