Republicans, Democrats see different fixes to fiscal stalemate
By Tom Price
This piece first appeared on Reporter Newspapers on December 1, 2011
Our nation’s $15 trillion debt is a threat to our prosperity and security. It is an incredible challenge that requires serious, sound leadership and the courage to make tough decisions. Consequently, it is unfortunate that the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction was recently unable to develop a plan to reduce spending by the prescribed $1.2 trillion.
For our part, House Republicans have shown a ready willingness to tackle these challenges. Earlier this year, we drafted, debated, and passed in the House of Representatives, a budget plan that would cut not $1.2 trillion, but $6 trillion in spending. It would simplify the tax code, lower rates, and eliminate loopholes and distortions. Our plan would strengthen and improve the Medicare and Medicaid programs to ensure that they are strong and secure for current and future generations.
Unfortunately, our efforts have been met with resistance at every turn. President Obama’s relentless campaigning and rhetoric meant to divide us have done nothing to solve the challenges we face. Meanwhile, our Democrat colleagues in Congress are insisting we raise taxes on job creators – not tax reforms that would help our economy, but rather tax hikes that take more investment capital out of our struggling economy.
Missing from their approaches are any serious solutions to tackle the true drivers of our nation’s debt and protect programs like Medicare.
There remains plenty to be done to get our economy moving and our nation’s fiscal house in order. We have a duty to find reductions in federal spending, a way forward on fundamental tax reform, and a reprieve from onerous regulations.
House Republicans have already put forth a plan in our budget. There are nearly two dozen pieces of legislation that have passed the House of Representatives that would help improve our economic outlook. They await action in the Democrat-led Senate.
As our fiscal and economic challenges remain, we will not waver in our efforts to provide a positive set of solutions. We call on the president and our colleagues to step up to their responsibility.
Rep. Tom Price is a Republican from Georgia and serves as chairman of the Republican Policy Committee in the House of Representatives. He represents Georgia’s Sixth Congressional District, which includes portions of Sandy Springs and Dunwoody.