Washington state Democratic Reps. Norm Dicks, Adam Smith and Rick Larsen are among a bipartisan group of 100 House members who are urging Congress’ supercommittee to think big and deliver a $4 trillion deficit-reduction package by Nov. 23.
That’s the deadline for the 12-member supercommittee, which is co-chaired by Washington state Democratic Sen. Patty Murray, to make its recommendations to Congress. It must come up with a plan to cut the deficit by at least $1.2 trillion over the next 10 years. Dicks, Smith and Larsen say that’s not nearly enough. They joined 57 other Democrats and 40 Republicans, sending a letter to the supercommitee on Wednesday that suggested “all options” get considered, including spending cuts and tax increases.
Here’s a text of the letter:
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
The Honorable Jeb Hensarling The Honorable Patty Murray
Co-Chair, Joint Select Committee on Co-Chair, Joint Select Committee on
Deficit Reduction Deficit Reduction
129 Cannon House Office Building 448 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20510
Dear Congressman Hensarling, Senator Murray, and Members of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction,
We write to you as a bipartisan group of representatives from across the political spectrum in the belief that the success of your committee is vital to our country’s future. We know that many in Washington and around the country do not believe we in the Congress and those within your committee can successfully meet this challenge. We believe that we can and we must.
To succeed, all options for mandatory and discretionary spending and revenues must be on the table. In addition, we know from other bipartisan frameworks that a target of some $4 trillion in deficit reduction is necessary to stabilize our debt as a share of the economy and assure America’s fiscal well-being.
Our country needs our honest, bipartisan judgment and our political courage. Your committee has been given a unique opportunity and authority to act. We are prepared to support you in this effort.
