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Lipinski Joins Bipartisan Call for a Grand Bargain to Reduce the Deficit and Strengthen the Economy (November 16, 2011)

11/16/2011

Today, Congressman Dan Lipinski (D-IL) joined a bipartisan, bicameral call urging the Congressional Super Committee and his colleagues to support a comprehensive, $4 trillion deficit-reduction plan that helps assure a bright economic future for the American people.

Congressman Lipinski is one of 102 House members who recently signed a bipartisan letter calling on the Super Committee to show the bipartisan leadership necessary to reach a grand bargain to reduce budget deficits. A similar bipartisan letter was signed by 45 Senators. Participants in today’s press conference included fellow signatories Rep. Heath Shuler (D-NC), Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (MD), and Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID), as well as Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin (D) and Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA).

“If we’re going to restore America’s economic leadership, spur economic growth, and boost job creation, we need to act to reduce the national debt before it’s too late,” Rep. Lipinski said. “The federal government simply cannot continue to live beyond its means indefinitely. The ongoing crisis in Europe is a vivid reminder of the terrible consequences of ignoring reality and pretending that deficits can be allowed to continue to grow uninterrupted. Stabilizing America’s finances and assuring a bright economic future for our children and grandchildren will require more than the $1.2 trillion in deficit reduction that Congress agreed to back in August. Congress needs to ‘go big,’ to put aside politics, and do what is in America’s best long-term interest. If neither side will compromise, the end result will be far more objectionable to everyone than what could have been achieved if the parties met in the middle. That’s why I’m urging the Super Committee and my colleagues to support a grand bargain that protects the middle class and helps restore America’s economic strength.”

Congressman Lipinski has been working to reduce deficits and prevent or eliminate spending the American people cannot afford. At the same time, he has opposed extreme budget proposals that would hurt the middle class, seniors, and job creation and that fail to close special interest tax loopholes.

In August, he voted for the compromise agreement to cut the deficit by $900 billion, provide for further deficit reduction, and avoid a government default that would have damaged the fragile economy and hampered job creation. In April, he voted for the bipartisan budget compromise to prevent a government shutdown and reduce spending by approximately $38 billion. Rep. Lipinski also voted against the Republican budget proposal that would have changed Medicare into a voucher program and doubled costs for seniors. In addition, he did not vote for the $1 trillion health care law, the $700 billion Wall Street bailout, or the poorly designed $862 billion stimulus bill.
 
A copy of the House letter is available here.

(November 16, 2011)

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