Bi-Partisan Fiscal Commission Rejects Deficit Panel’s Cost-Cutting Measures
- Posted on December 3, 2010 at 11:54am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
- Print »
- Email »
President Obama‘s fiscal commission voted to reject a deficit panel’s cost-cutting measures that would have slashed nearly $4 trillion in deficit spending over the next nine years, and reduced the federal debt to 40 percent of gross domestic product by 2035.
Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid vowed to bring the recommendations to the House and Senate floors, but only if 14 of the commission’s 18 members approved them. The final vote was 11-7, meaning the measures fell three votes short.
The votes against included bi-partisan opposition. Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) as well as Reps. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas), David Camp (R-Mich.), Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.), and Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) all voted against the plan. They were joined by former SEIU president Andy Stern.
Sens. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Judd Gregg (R-N.H.), and Rep. John Spratt (D-S.C.) voted “yes,” along with former Republican senator from Wyoming Alan Simpson and former Bill Clinton chief of staff Erskine Bowles.
“A strong bipartisan coalition has already voted for this plan,” Bowles, who chairs the panel, said.
According to The Hill, Crapo agreed, saying the lack of votes “should not be an indication that there is not powerful support behind this plan,” and noting that 60 percent of panelists voted in favor of it. He also said that Ryan, future chair of the House Budget Committee, has committed to use much of the plan in coming up with a budget resolution next year.
Popular Stories
MSNBC Host Snaps in Heated Segment: ‘What in the World Is Riskier Than Being a Poor Person in America?’ 694 Comments
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 662 Comments
‘Jumah at the DNC’ Speaker: ‘Muslims Visited America Prior to Columbus’ & ‘It Was a Muslim’ Who Guided Him to the ‘New World’ 524 Comments
Obama: RNC Like Watching ‘Black-and-White TV’ Because Romney ‘Did Not Offer a Single New Idea’ 364 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 342 Comments
Faith
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 231 Comments- Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More
- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 238 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order Read More- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 147 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 300 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 231 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (51)
missy123
Posted on December 4, 2010 at 9:41amOh and thank you Brad Wesselmann for the link!
Report Post »missy123
Posted on December 4, 2010 at 9:39amCan somebody puhleez tell me why every bill that gets put before congress has to have a thousand add on bills? Why can’t they just debate and vote on one issue or groups of issues at a time?
Report Post »I’ve been watching C-Span to further educate myself but I can‘t believe all the time wasted on voting on whether they’ll allow 1 hour or 2 hours for a debate….or should they allow for a debate at all… or can we designate Thursday as “ John Doe Day”! I can’t believe they waste our money on this type of nonsense! The world is going to hell in a handbag and they want to debate what kind of donuts they want for their meetings…..
hempstead1944
Posted on December 4, 2010 at 8:30amAmericans are tired of the hypocrisy….the same folks that gave us the financial problem are trying to give us the solution…..they have no credibility. Someone give Trump a consultant contract.
Report Post »Derfel Cadarn
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 3:12pmMeasures like this must be passed if we wish this nation to survive. These cuts are only baby steps toward financial freedom. All Americans are going to be required to sacrifice not just the middle class the poor and the wealthy all should be required to to contribute at equal percentages.
Report Post »Shamokin_CoalCracker
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 7:53pmAfter the middle class,poor and the wealthywho else is left??? While i agree we need to cut spending and eliminate wastefull programs we had better be prepared for what comes after,and how quick and how deep we cut. Social security eliminate it or raise the age limit to say–72? medicare same thing? Welfare, housing, food stamps,ect.ect. And if this is our goal why the circus in Washington over the tax-cuts? Are we as a nation really prepared to just have every one fend for themselves,the elderly,sick,real-disabled,mentaly disturbed ect. How many here can truly provide EVERYTHING needed to survive,to do without lights.heat,gas,ect. How many are ready and able to KILL another human being?? When we see the government start these cuts will we also see them step back and let this country prosper or clamp down harder? Even worse,if the REPBS.&NEW-HIRES go down this road in typical WASHINGTON style are you ready for another DEM. take-over on an even larger scale? BE very carefull,when these bastards of both parties see how willing we are they never stop short!!! I do not trust any of them nor do i believe they GOT IT!!!!!!!!
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 1:47pmIf I were king for a day, the first thing I would do is eliminate employers automatically taking out state, federal and payroll tax monies from pay checks, and the payments would come do just as they do for a business – monthly or quarterly. This auto deduction was a ploy by the progressives to separate the emotion of paying taxes because we don’t miss what we never had to begin with. The second thing I would slash ALL federal government pensions to around 1 or 2%, which is about what an average employer gives employees in the private sector. I would then strongly suggest that states do the same with state and local government pensions. Raise or lower pay rates to equal regional rates from the private sector. Military pensions stay, as they don’t make jack squat anyhow, and they actually undergo hardship at times. It used to mean something “serving” your country. Now, in serving, you’re screwing your fellow American in the private sector. I would be a national hero within 10 years.
Report Post »Eyeball
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 1:45pmTake note of the RINO Republicans who voted not to make the recommended cuts. 2012 here we come. Reps. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas), David Camp (R-Mich.)
Report Post »Pocono Countryboy
Posted on December 4, 2010 at 10:02amThey didn’t vote against the cuts..they voted against the plan.
Big Difference
Report Post »TattooQ
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 1:32pmCan someone please get serious about slash and burn of all spending ; including and especially entitlements ? Enough is enough already !!
Report Post »heavyduty
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 1:27pmOur tax dollars at work.
Report Post »diablo10
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 1:23pmWhat the F is Andy Stern doing there? He has no business in the affairs of this commission…oh wait he’s Obama hand holder, sorry!
Report Post »crcitizen
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 1:17pmAndy Stern on the panel? No one in a union wants deficit reduction, How can they keep sucking the blood of government, and the private sector if there is deficit reduction, spending cuts,, means less for their war chest. I would not be surprised if the were for raising the retirement age, their pensions would grow and less would be taken out to pay the retirees.
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 1:08pmWhat a SHAM this so-called “commission” was. What kind of idiot would vote for this crap? The idiots running this commission didn’t even take OBAMACARE into account. Have the brains in this country really left the station and are not coming back??? Good freaking Lord?!?!?
Report Post »cindy g
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 12:39pmRep Paul Ryan stated his main objective was the portion dealing with healthcare…..Or, rather, the lack of addressing this issue in the debt/deficit report.
While agreeing to almost all of the cost cutting measures, he states that healthcare costs would rise dramatically if not addressed as part of this plan.
Report Post »wildwood
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 12:37pmIf Andy Stern is not going to vote for it, then it must be good. His only interest is how much can he get for himself and the unoins!!!!!!! He did not belong on the panel!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »everyone but Obama knew it was a waste of tax payers money!!!!!!!
tax payer are telling obama how to cut the deficit!!!!!!!
His freeze on government worker pay, a sham, When he tells us he is going to cut their salaries 20% equalizing what they make and what private. and appy it to everyone but the lower member of the military, cut the government by 25%, then we will listen to him.SO FAR IT HAS BEEN BULL CRAP!!!!!
carolinalockie
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 12:29pmAndy Stern voted no because it did not contain enough tax raises. Republicans voted no because it did not have enough spending cuts, nor did it mention cuts to Obamacare.
Report Post »halfabrain
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 1:07pmMy senator Gregg voted yes!?
Report Post »J.C. McGlynn
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 12:13pmMaybe if we only pay half our taxes they will cut costs? Hell, if C. Wrangle don’t have to pay them, we should be treated the same.
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 1:18pmOld Charlie set precident. I’m not going to pay mine anymore. What’s good for the goose, right?
Report Post »B. Dawgn-Auff
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 12:09pmThis is what a lame Duck looks like: Nancy & Harry still quacking but paralyzed from the scalp down!
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 12:08pmWhat more do you want the Progessives to do to save money?…..they have already turned off the light at the end of the tunnel.
Report Post »OmegaMan
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 12:31pmfunny!
Report Post »Sledgehammer
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 12:08pmwhen you have some one like Andy Stern on the debt commision, how the hell can any one take them at their word? most of these people are responsible for the mess we’re in!
Report Post »OmegaMan
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 12:30pmI think Stern was on there to try to get a Union pension bailout included. He voted Nay because Simpson told him to pound salt. I like Alan Simpson. He’s an old curmudgeon that has a history of telling people the hard truth. How about Christie/Simpson in 2012 with Ron Paul as Treasury Secretary and Paul Ryan as Budget Director?
Report Post »Shoey77
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 12:06pmwhat lots of folks are missing is that nothing in the Commission’s report even touches ObamaCare, and that’s why the smart conservs like Ryan voted against it.
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 12:40pmExactly correct. While not the only reason, Nazicare is the major reason for the predicted huge future deficits. Everybody knows this. The “council” deftly avoided even mentioning it. This is once again stagecraft. I suspect that a strong push for uber taxation will follow shortly.
Report Post »KINGRUDDY
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 12:06pmReally…..Andy Stern, former head of SCEI is on this “fiscal commision”.
Report Post »That is the spooky dude’s captain. Why is Andy Stern on this commision?
stingerhp
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 12:02pmAnything, and I truly mean ANYTHING that bears the signature or fingerprint of reid or pelosi, should be burned and buried..They want nothing more than to expedite the fall of America just like their boss that plays basketball..
Report Post »Pa7sy
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 12:01pmI think I’ll send a couple hundred flyers to every governmental agency and “tell” them to post them on theie front door. The flyers will read something like: “
Report Post »Pa7sy
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 12:03pm“Due To Excessive Government Debt, this office will be closed until further notice”
Report Post »Sledgehammer
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 12:08pmI like it!
Report Post »Brad Wesselmann
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 12:53pm“To view or interact with your Senator or Congressman, go to http://www.congress.gov where all meetings, hearings, votes, debates can be viewed online. Our Congressmen no longer reside in Washington “full time” as it has been deemed too costly to transport them across the country twice a week and against the public interests in general. Quarterly “Roll Call” will be held once a quarter, and will be the only time all members are in Washington.”
“Any lobbyists seeking to peddle influence will have to travel to the state of their desired corruption and state their name and organization to the lapel camera of the congressman to ensure a clear record of their ambitions to influence representation.”
“Have a nice day…perhaps to pursue life, liberty and your own personal pursuit of happiness!”
Report Post »Brad Wesselmann
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 1:08pm…HOWEVER, that functionality is NOT currently supported by OUR government so you will have to keep dreaming of the time when technology is actually used to reduce cost and increase customer satisfaction instead of forcing us to deal with an outsourced call center who thinks that Oshkosh is nothing but a cheap pair of pants and the criminals in office are no longer flying in luxury on our dime.
Report Post »OmegaMan
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 12:00pmThe fact that Andy Stern AND Paul Ryan voted against it tell me that it might have been a pretty fair starting point. When the polar opposites agree, it usually means that you’re somewhere in the middle. My dad once told me that when everybody loves something, look at it with caution but when everybody hates something, its usually the right thing to do. It seems like everybody hates this thing. I hope it gains traction but what I fear is that this bill will get piece-mealed out in the next Congress and only the easy stuff will get passed. This will only work as an omnibus measure that hurts everyone as a group.
Report Post »kaydeebeau
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 12:09pmSort of my thoughts – if Andy Stern opposes it there must be some good stuff in there that would be the right thing to do – That Paul Ryan opposes it must mean that there are some really bad things – I am going back and forth trying to decide what that means – most puzzling to me. I have a strong tendancy to want to do the exact opposite of Andy Stern in all cases
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {mix art}
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 12:10pmYour father was a smart man; hopefully something will actually get done and actually be meaningful at the same time. We either pay a painful price now, or a larger dose of pain later in the future when our country goes over the cliff.
Report Post »@leftfighter
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 12:52pmVery good point! I tend to be much closer to Ryan than Stern, but I hadn’t considered this aspect.
The simplified tax rates for higher earners was probably the deal killer for Stern.
Report Post »@leftfighter
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 12:00pmAWESOME! So how much money did we waste on a Blue Ribbion Presidential Commission that we’re not even going to see a report from ?
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 11:56amdoes this mean their idea of the obamacare death panels is finally kaput???
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 12:01pmWhat are republicans voting against deficit reduction and cost cutting for?
Report Post »OmegaMan
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 12:04pmKate – I’m not sure. Maybe it’s the “it doesn’t go far enough” theory but I think they should take what they can get now and add to it in 2011.
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {mix art}
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 12:08pmBefore I decide on the Republicans who voted against it; I wish to hear why. Then with the statements on the record, we know weather to fry them at the elections or not.
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 12:10pm@Kate
It doesn’t reduce the debt is probably why.
The closest thing it does is raise retirement age for SS I believe. Other than that, it’s tax raises. They run on the same path as all other “deficit reduction” plans, that is, keep government spending the same or rising, and raising taxes.
Want to reduce that deficit/debt? Repeal Nazicare, first, second start phasing out Medicare/Medicaid/Social security (without hurting those people already on those programs, but allowing nobody else on the rolls), require Constitutional review for all legislation current and pending eliminating any that doesn’t pass muster (and no, Interstate Commerce is not a justification), bring out troops back to within our borders, and eliminate the income tax entirely replacing it with nothing.
Anything else is gamesmanship. Just my opinion.
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {mix art}
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 12:17pmCould this have been the reason, or part of the reasoning that POTUS suddenly decided to make a trip to the fields of Afghanistan? Or another legislative act coming up to a vote, such as the DREAM act or such?
Report Post »Rogue
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 12:17pm@ Snow – agreed. We’ll see how this shakes out after Jan 1. If Ryan is planning on incorporating much of this into next year’s budget talks, I’m guessing this vote was just a show. Politicians playing games yet again. Once the new congress is seated, votes will begin to carry much more weight, and specific areas of the measure will be discussed further. My guess is that Repubicans will craft thier own plan, but we’ll have to wait and see what that looks like.
Report Post »dkhartman
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 12:17pmI agree it’s probably more of a “why” thing. They tell us how much money to make it seem enticing but do we know how we’re going to get there and why? I’d like to know before I make such judgement about who voted for or against it.
Report Post »untameable-kate
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 1:03pmGhost, I agree with you about the spending cuts, it was lunacy to pass the healthcare boondoggle, especially in this crumbling economy. I would be willing to keep paying into social security and medicare systems for the next twenty years while it got phased out. If you get the people out of those systems that don’t need or deserve the freebies then it would be easier on the budget and easier to eliminate.
Report Post »easyed598
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 1:29pmRepublican aren`t oppose to Deficit reduction .Probably rejected because of add ons that Democrats love to do . Could be the unpopular START program was tied to it which the Republican strongly oppose.
Report Post »senah
Posted on December 3, 2010 at 1:45pmBecause they wanted to raise taxes in the report. The government does not need more money. They only end up spending it, than saving it to reduce the deficiet. We need to curtail the spending habits. Also, nothing in there about cutting the government departments, such as EPA, DOE, USDA, and et al.
Report Post »