Hoyer Statement on President's Deficit Reduction Package

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) released the following statement today after President Obama announced his long-term plan to reduce the deficit:

"The plan put forward by the President today is a balanced approach to create jobs in the short-term and bring down the deficit over the long-term. It asks everyone to pay their fair share, strengthens Medicare and Medicaid for future generations while protecting beneficiaries, and emphasizes the need for immediate job creation. It lays out how the Joint Select Committee can go beyond their mandated deficit reduction requirement, which I believe is essential to getting a handle on our nation's deficit. I also support the President's call for tax reform that would help grow the economy and reduce the deficit by lowering rates and closing wasteful loopholes that only benefit the wealthy and special interests.

"Previous fiscal commissions have called for investment in job creation in the short-term, while setting forward a balanced long-term plan to reduce the deficit. The President's plan does that, and I urge the House Republican leadership to bring the American Jobs Act to the House Floor immediately for a vote as the Joint Select Committee works on a long-term deficit reduction plan to put our nation back on a fiscally sustainable path."