Chris Van Hollen actually said...

But it seems to me that we look very weak when we continually make statements without any kind of consequence.

if the Congress packed up its bags and left... the deficit would be $3 trillion higher than if than it is today.

In my view that represents a retreat around the world at a time that we need to be more engaged, not less engaged.

I am hoping that you would agree that all economists would agree that it is a bad idea to default on our debt.