Rob Portman: “I think what we have learned over the last couple of decades is the only way to get the deficit under control is to grow…”

“I think what we have learned over the last couple of decades is the only way to get the deficit under control is to grow the economy and restrain spending. We learned it in the 1990s. We are relearning it now, and what is exciting to me is the fact that part of that, which is restraining spending, we are doing with regard to the budget and the budget that the House passed and based on the deeming resolution will keep our spending under control in the House this year. That is very important, keeping spending at about 4 percent, trying to keep it close to what the family budget is is extremely important. Second, we are growing the economy, and there is an incredible story out there. It is probably the most underreported story of the year. The only economic indicator that is not improving right now is what we are hearing from the other side of the aisle about the economy. Jobs are increasing, fastest growth in 20 years. The unemployment rate is now 5.6 percent in this country, down from 6.3 percent.”