Chris Van Hollen

The Republican budget actually gets rid of the health care benefits but keeps the savings, including the revenue stream in the budget

The only way to accomplish those two objectives is if you, in fact, increase the tax burden on middle income families.

Without those elements, or some substitute which they have not told us about, their budget would not be in balance.

I think it is important to point out that the Republican budget assumes that stream of revenues.

The Congress has voted to take on these obligations.

I hope we have all learned from our experience in the summer of 2011 that it is irresponsible and reckless for the United States to suggest that it will not meet its financial obligations.

The president has been very clear on drawing the distinction between asking higher income individuals to pay their fair share.

It's also good advice right here at home.

The fastest way to try and come into compliance as fast as possible is to appoint conferees and follow the regular order.

Let me just close, Mr. Chairman, by urging us to try and come together as soon as possible to bridge the differences between these budgets.

The last time we had a balanced budget in this country was when Jack Lew was the head of OMB during the Clinton Administration.

I believe the President's budget accomplishes two important objectives.

The difference is that the Republican budget does not close one single tax loophole for the purpose of reducing the deficit, whereas the president's budget does close those tax breaks for folks at the very high end for the purpose of…

It would be very shortsighted if we pursue the austerity approach to cut those investments at a time when many of our major international competitors are following that successful model.

The House Republican budget would keep in place the very immediate and deep sequester cuts which the non-partisan independent Congressional Budget Office says will result in 750,000 fewer jobs by the end of this year alone.

The president's budget accomplishes two important objectives.

So just to go to the bottom line on that, what that means is that either the Republican budget would not be in balance if they actually did what they say they want to do with respect to tax rates and tax policies.

The math just does not work any other way.

The Republican budget, as you know, says they are going to drop that top rate all the way from 39 percent to 25 percent.

You have pointed out, the president's pointed out in this budget, that very wealthy individuals continue to disproportionately benefit from deductions in the tax code.

I would just point out that in the House Republican budget last year, at the end of their 10-year window, they reduced deficit percent of GDP to 1.2 percent.

Our Republican colleagues, in their budget, they ask everybody to take some responsibility for deficit reduction except folks at the very top of the income ladder.

I applaud the President for putting forward a budget that focuses on investments in education, investments in science and research, and investments in the infrastructure necessary to make sure we're competitive in the 21st century.

We believe that the president has clearly indicated a willingness to meet Republicans more than halfway.

Not only do you get to keep it, but they are going to double down and give you an extra tax break by lowering the top rates.