Wyoming Democratic Party's Statement on Fiscal Responsibility Commission

Wyoming Democratic Party's Statement on Fiscal Responsibility Commission
Wyoming Represented by former Senator Alan Simpson

Cheyenne, WY – Yesterday President Barack Obama signed an executive order to establish the bipartisan National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform.  The President appointed former White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles and former Republican Senator Alan Simpson of Wyoming to chair the commission.  On the news of President Obama's establishing of this commission that will put our country on a path to financial responsibility, Wyoming State Party Chair Leslie Petersen issued the following statement:

"The creation of President Obama’s bipartisan National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform is welcome news and is a demonstration of the bold leadership that President Obama is taking on some of the toughest issues facing the American people," said Petersen.

"Upon taking office, President Obama inherited a record amount of debt under the false banner of fiscal conservancy.  The debt, if unchecked, will saddle our children with a crushing burden, hobble our economy, and make the American Dream harder and harder to attain.  This is why President Obama has established this Commission, to put our nation on a path to fiscal security and deal with our out of control spending and ever-increasing debt.

"President Obama has named two talented and committed individuals from both sides of the aisle to lead this commission.  We are proud to have former Senator Alan Simpson as a representative of Wyoming and the people of Wyoming who greatly value fiscal responsibility and understand the need for a balanced budget. 

"It was surprising to see Senator Barrasso's vote against the proposal, and I agree with Senator Simpson’s evaluation that, 'If they don’t participate they run a real hazard in these times.  The [Senate] election in Massachusetts was not so much a glorious Republican victory as a bunch of people who were damned mad saying, 'Why don't you get a handle on this stuff?' You can't get a handle on it if you don't participate.'" [Washington Post, 2/16/2010] Thankfully Wyoming will still have the opportunity to participate and assist in getting a handle on the deficit.

President Obama signed the executive order after Republicans in the Senate defeated a proposal to create a Congressional panel on the deficit in January.  Sen. Barrasso voted no and Senator Enzi voted aye.

In the near-term, the Commission will propose recommendations to put the budget in primary balance by 2015 and will look for ways to put our country on a path to fiscal responsibility.  This is part of the President's greater efforts to grow our economy and cut wasteful spending and will work in conjunction with the proposals to freeze government spending and pass comprehensive health insurance reform.

The commission will have 18 members, including the two co-chairs.  President Obama will appoint four additional members, and Republican and Democratic leaders in Congress will each appoint six members.  Each recommendation by the commission must be approved by at least 14 members to ensure all recommendations are bipartisan. The Commission will vote on a final report by Dec. 1, 2010. 

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