Max Baucus: “I respect my Ranking Member's attempt to alter the leader's bill to strike the revenue increases in this legislation.…”

“I respect my Ranking Member's attempt to alter the leader's bill to strike the revenue increases in this legislation. However, I think time is at a premium and we need to consider the Reid legislation today. Recommitting the bill to the Finance Committee will delay a solution to the sequestration cuts for weeks, if not months, and I believe most Members believe we should address the issue here and now. There is no time to waste. We will have a full opportunity to discuss additional deficit reduction ideas in the coming weeks when we consider the budget resolution, the continuing resolution and the extension of the debt limit. I agree we need to cut our debt and get our fiscal house in order. We know there are places to trim the fat in Federal programs. To give families and businesses certainty, we must agree on a balanced, comprehensive plan to cut the debt that includes both revenue and spending cuts. The math will not work any other way. A long-term balanced plan will bridge the budget battles and make real progress solving our deficit problem. A balanced plan will also encourage businesses to invest, enable investors to return to the markets with confidence, and, most importantly, put Americans back to work in a growing economy. And I look forward to working with Senator Hatch, taking on these fiscal challenges and crafting policies that create more jobs and spark economic growth.…”