Sen. Mike Crapo (left) and Rep. Mike Simpson talk about the debt crisis at the Idaho Association of Industry and Commerce office in Boise.
Idaho Republicans Sen. Mike Crapo and Rep. Mike Simpson expect $85 billion in automatic budget cuts to go into effect March 1 before their colleagues and President Barack Obama begin serious talks about cutting the deficit.
Both Idaho lawmakers are prominent members of bipartisan groups in the Senate and the House dedicated to cutting $4 trillion to $5 trillion from the federal debt growth path over the next decade. They agree that both tax increases and cuts to entitlement programs like Medicare have to be on the table.
Crapo said at a join press conference in Boise Tuesday that cutting the debt before the United States loses it ability to borrow at low rates is the most critical issue facing the nation and perhaps the most critical ever.
“The American Dream is on the line,” Crapo said.
Simpson and Crapo were in Boise Tuesday for symposium on the debt co-sponsored by the James and Louise McClure Center for Public Policy at the University of Idaho and Idaho Public Television. You can watch and participate on IPTV’s World Channel at 8 p.m.
Also speaker are former Wyoming Republican Sen. Alan, Simpson, who co-chaired the Simpson-Bowles Commission on the debt, and Virginia Democratic Sen. Mark Warner, one of the so-called “Gang of Six” senators with Crapo seeking a grand debt deal.
Budget cuts and tax increases of $2.8 trillion over the next decade made in domestic and defense spending are part of the solution, Crapo and Simpson agreed. But Congress has been unwilling to restructure entitlement programs that will cause Americans pain; it’s also been unwilling to reform taxes by getting rid of popular tax breaks.
After the sequestration puts “stupid” across-the-board cuts in place, Congress will have to address a possible shut-down of the government and raising the debt ceiling again, Simpson said.
“I think the next 90 to 100 days are going to decide the future of our country,” Simpson said.
It will take a bipartisan deal because the public is not going to like what they have to do to prevent the nation from losing its solvency, said Crapo, who also served on the Simpson-Bowles Commission.
“The worst option is the status quo,” Crapo said.
Simpson, who has teamed up with Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland in supporting what they call the “go big” plan, is hopeful a grand deal can be forged this year.
“I honestly believe there is a governing majority in the House and Senate ready to make the tough vote,” Simpson said.
This year? A bit late to the party aren’t you boys? And why is Congress in recess this week, not in DC working on this. What a joke these career politicians have become. Take a good look at Alan Simpson. He at least has a solid plan on paper.
My point exactly. Recess for another week? With “The American Dream” on the line??? Both parties have ALREADY written off the American Dream.
Medicare!!! Yea,go after the poor and elderly. How about bringing our military home to save billions!!
Controlling Medicare and Medicaid costs does not necessarily mean going after the poor and the elderly. Instead, we could go after fraud, waste, and inefficiencies in the illness care system. The US health care system is not focused on health. It is focused on making a profit off poor health.
Perhaps Crapo will propose a bill to bail himself (and other drunk congressman like him) out of jail for DUI.
I hope (still) that the Army surrounds the chambers and makes them work. If not maybe they should just take over. Maybe nobody would care anymore. I’m sick and tired of hearing about my supposed doom every other day…FED UP.