April 13,2011

Baucus Comment on the President’s Deficit Speech

MEMORANDUM

To: Reporters and Editors
From: Scott Mulhauser and Erin Shields for Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.)
Re: Baucus comment on the President’s deficit speech

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) commented today following President Obama’s speech outlining his approach to addressing the country’s significant debt and deficits.  The Finance Committee has jurisdiction over many policy areas that figure prominently in the debt and deficit discussion.  From Chairman Baucus:

“Our deficits and debt present extraordinary challenges – challenges we must surmount.  The plan laid out today is a welcome part of our effort to come together and begin to address this momentous task.  The President’s plan recognizes that we can’t address our budget crisis on the backs of seniors and those who depend on the promise of programs like Medicare and Social Security.  It recognizes that our fiscal problems can only be realistically solved with a balanced approach. 

“The plan laid out today comes in stark contrast to the priorities put forward by the House Republicans in their budget plan, which would end Medicare as we know it and cut trillions of dollars from critical health care programs and nursing home care that seniors have counted on for generations.  The House budget turns its back on the priorities of our future and the promises we’ve already made.  And it dismantles the programs and investments seniors and middle class families count on to give billions of dollars in tax cuts to the wealthy that we absolutely can’t afford.  

“Over the course of the coming weeks and months, we will carefully build upon our country’s shared priorities and make the difficult decisions we need to get this done.  We should begin with the assumption there will be at least some steps we have to take together that would not be the preference of each of us alone.  It will be a difficult task, but it is one that we have no choice but to successfully meet and I’m confident we will.” 

 

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