Tim Geithner: “One of the most important things the Congress did is to say, 'We're going to establish a level playing field across…”

Absolutely. Yes, again, we see there's no prospect to an agreement that doesn't involve those rates going up on the top 2 percent of the wealthiest Americans.

The world still views the United States and the American political system as up to the challenge of delivering reforms that make our economy stronger and our fiscal position more sustainable.

If those were embraced by the Congress tomorrow, there would be substantially more confidence around the world in the capacity of this political system in Washington.

If the U.S. Government were at this time... to significantly reduce the assistance it provides students going to college, that would be a bad thing for the country.