Fed Chair Calls Dems’ Spending ‘Unsustainable’ As Hanabusa's Party Refuses to Budget
Bernanke Says Decisive Action Needed, but Democrats Continue to Spend at Will
news release from www.NRCC.org
Washington- The nation’s chief economist warned yesterday that America’s fiscal path is unsustainable and called for swift action to manage a growing national debt crisis, but Democrat candidate Colleen Hanabusa's Washington friends still refuse to do the necessary work to lead the country back to fiscal stability. While Democrats still refuse to create a budget for the upcoming fiscal year, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke testified to the House Budget Committee yesterday that it’s time for Congress to act:
“Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Wednesday that Congress needs to develop a plan to manage the nation’s burgeoning debt, because the federal budget “appears to be on an unsustainable path.”
“Testifying before the House Budget Committee on the state of the economy, Bernanke urged lawmakers to take decisive action to show investors that the country can get back on the right financial path.” (Simmi Aujla, “Ben Bernanke: Federal Budget ‘Unsustainable,’” Politico, 6/10/10)
During the same hearing, Bernanke told Congress that Democrats could tackle the deficit by cutting spending – if they wanted to:
Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA): “Is there enough spending to be cut?”
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke: “Well, of course.”
Connolly: “National defense? Homeland security?”
Bernanke: “That’s your judgment. That’s the Congress’s judgment.” (Bernanke testimony to the House Budget Committee, 6/9/10)
As Democrats continue to convince themselves that the country doesn’t need a plan to deal with $13 trillion in national debt and a ballooning deficit, voters think otherwise. According to a Gallup survey released last week, key swing voters see the federal deficit as the top issue that is threatening the country’s well being:
“The federal budget deficit ranks as the top issue concern for independents -- 42% call it extremely serious -- thus aligning independents closer to Republicans than to Democrats on this issue.” (Lydia Saad, “Federal Debt, Terrorism Considered Top Threats to U.S.,” Gallup, 6/4/10)
“Americans are desperate for a plan to lead the country out of its growing fiscal crisis, but Colleen Hanabusa's Washington friends refuse to do the business of governing,” said NRCC Communications Director Ken Spain. “As the debt continues to grow, Hawaii voters are desperately looking to Congress to restore fiscal sanity in Washington. Unfortunately, all they would get from Hanabusa is another loyal Democrat who refuses to stop spending while the country’s long-term stability is on the line.”
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