September 15, 2011

Manchin Joins 35 Bipartisan Senators to Push More Deficit Reduction

***Audio, Web Video Available*** 

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) joined nearly three dozen other Senators from both political parties today to encourage the “super committee” charged with finding at least $1.2 trillion in deficit reductions to “think big.” 

“I’m so proud to be part of such a large, bipartisan group of like-minded Senators who are committed to restoring fiscal accountability in this great nation,” Senator Manchin said. “We are showing the American people that we have different ways of coming together for the same commonsense results: putting our fiscal house back in order. We’re encouraging the super committee to go big and close our spending gap in a meaningful way that will return confidence to our economy. It’s time to focus on creating jobs and rebuilding America for the next generation, not the next election.” 

As part of the August compromise on raising the debt ceiling, a bipartisan, bicameral 12-member panel was appointed to identify $1.5 trillion in budget savings over ten years in addition to the nearly $1 trillion in savings included in the debt ceiling legislation. Senator Manchin has fought for more significant reductions totaling $4 trillion over the next decade to reassure the financial markets, restore public confidence in the economy and create the foundation for long-term economic growth.    

The bipartisan group of 36 senators, representing more than one-third of the members of the U.S. Senate, agreed to the following statement of principles, which were released today in a press conference at the nation’s Capitol and which will be shared with members of the Joint Special Committee:

“As a bipartisan group of Senators, we will encourage and support the Super Committee in fulfilling its mission.  We are here to support a deficit reduction package consistent with the following principles that should: 

  • Include enough deficit reduction to stabilize the debt as a share of the economy, and put the debt on a downward path, and provide fiscal certainty.  We believe a reasonable target is at least $4 trillion, including previously enacted deficit measures.  This will send the right message to the financial markets.    

  • Use the established, bipartisan debt and deficit reduction frameworks as a starting point for discussions. 

  • Focus on the major parts of the budget and include long-term entitlement reforms and pro-growth tax reform.  

  • Be structured to grow the economy in the short, medium and long-term.  

  • Work to include the American public and the business community in a broader discussion about the breadth of the issues, challenges and opportunities facing us.”  

The 36 participants include the following members of the U.S. Senate:

Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN)

Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH)

Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK)

Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO)

Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC)

Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE)

Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA)

Sen. Dan Coats (R-IN)

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK)

Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS)

Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND)

Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE)

Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN)

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX)

Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID)

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC)

Sen. Kay Hagan (D-NC)

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX)

Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA)

Sen. Mike Johanns (R-NE)

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI)

Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL)

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)

Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA)

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT)

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO)

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV)

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)

Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL)

Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR)

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)

Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) 

Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO) 

Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA)

Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS)

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR)

Audio is available here: http://demradio.senate.gov/actualities/manchin/091511_MANCHIN_1_RADIO.mp3

Web Video is available here: http://gp1d.senate.gov/sdmc/Manchin/091511_MANCHIN_1_WEB_HD.mp4

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