On the recordSeptember 19, 2012
I thank my colleague, Mr. Levin. I was just listening to the previous speaker. The issue is not whether we reduce our long-term deficits. We've got to do that. The question is: How? And every bipartisan group that has looked at this issue has said in order to do this in a smart and credible way, we have to make some additional tough cuts in reforms. But we also need to raise additional revenue. And if we don't raise any more revenue, it means that everybody else is going to get hit even harder. Seniors on Medicare will have to pay more through the voucher plan than our Republican colleagues have proposed. Kids' education grants and loans will be cut. Our investment in infrastructure will be cut. So what we've said is, Let's take that balanced approach to reducing the deficit and that folks who have done very well should contribute a little bit more toward helping our Nation in that way. Our Republican colleagues have said, No, no, no, no, we're not going to ask people like Warren Buffett or Mitt Romney or very wealthy people to pay one more penny--not one--toward reducing our deficit. And, Mr. Speaker, I've got to say it's astounding that our Republican colleagues would bring this bill to the floor of this House any day, but especially today.…
