Van Hollen Statement on CBO’s Updated Budget and Economic Outlook
Washington,
Aug 22, 2012 -
Today Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen, Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, issued the following statement on the updated Budget and Economic Outlook from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO):
“Today’s update of the Budget and Economic Outlook from CBO is another reminder that there is more to do to strengthen the economy and bolster our recovery. We must continue our efforts to put Americans back to work, protect the middle class, and reduce the deficit.
“When President Obama took office, our economy was in free fall. We’ve made progress, but creating jobs and reducing the long-term deficit remain the key to our nation’s economic health. In fact, putting Americans back to work is one of the most effective ways to cut the deficit. President Obama has a plan to create jobs, stabilize debt, protect Medicare and Social Security, and replace the damaging, indiscriminate cuts from the sequester with a targeted, balanced approach to deficit reduction. The President’s plan would also extend tax relief for 98 percent of Americans.
“Yet Republicans in Congress refuse to enact the President’s plan, choosing instead to protect special interests and tax breaks for the wealthiest in our country. In fact, his jobs bill has been sitting before the House since September without a single vote – despite the fact that we’ve taken more than 30 votes to repeal the Affordable Care Act. It’s time for Republicans to put aside partisanship and focus on the real concerns of the nation.”
Congressman Chris Van Hollen
