Patty Murray: “This article describes the thoughts of my friend the Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, Dr. Laura Tyson, and…”

“This article describes the thoughts of my friend the Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, Dr. Laura Tyson, and those of the Director of the OMB, Dr. Alice Rivlin, who tells us that with this amendment: "Fiscal policy would exaggerate * * * swings in the economy. Recessions would tend to be deeper and longer." "Recessions would be deeper and longer." Mr. President, everyone I speak to these days--whether it is grocery store clerks or attorneys, farmers or Boeing machinists--everyone tells me their biggest fear is losing their job. Everyone fears the return of the dark days of recession. So why are we adding to the anxiety that is already out there? Budget cuts mean job cuts. If we handle our fiscal policy with common sense, I believe we can reduce our deficit in a sensible way that minimizes job loss. But if Dr. Tyson and Dr. Rivlin are correct--and I believe they are--this radical approach will throw millions of Americans out of work and at the same time cut job training programs.”