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Leading voices on the federal budget crisis praised Mayor Bloomberg's speech on ways the Super Committee can balance the federal budget to spur economic growth: Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), Co-Chair, Gang of Six
I applaud Mayor Bloomberg’s call to end the Congressional gridlock and act boldly in order to save our country’s ailing economy. Now more than ever, we have to reach across the aisle and find ways to reduce the deficit and debt and revive American prosperity. Mayor Bloomberg’s remarks offer a somber and inspiring wake-up call that we have to work together to find solutions.
Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Co-Chair, Gang of Six
I commend Mayor Bloomberg for his dedicated leadership on this crucial issue. To see the cost of doing nothing – or of pushing off action – to address America’s fiscal challenges, look no further than the crisis in Europe. World markets are looking to America to show leadership. Our failure to act in a major way means losing our role as the international leader on financial matters.
Senator Michael Bennet, (D-CO)
Mayor Bloomberg is once again saying what the rest of the country knows, that Washington needs to pass a comprehensive plan to pay down the debt. I applaud his timely and much needed leadership. In my town hall meetings across the state, Coloradans have told me they want a plan that will materially reduce the deficit, shows we’re all in it together and is bipartisan. I encourage the Joint Committee to reach consensus on a package like Simpson Bowles so that Congress can have a chance to vote on it.
Senator John Kerry (D-VA), Super Committee Member
I'm hopeful that Washington will really listen to this speech from Mayor Bloomberg. He's a candid, independent-minded leader who is uniquely credentialed in this debate. He understands the business world and the marketplace, he leads a diverse city, and he doesn't just talk about building consensus and bringing people together, he's actually done it. He understands the historic stakes of this moment for our economy and he knows our country can't afford continued gridlock. He’s making a stand for jobs, fiscal responsibility, and for political courage and consensus. He knows that we can’t afford to have people retreat to partisan corners, and I share his determination to see our Committee and Congress meet the test of a balanced, fair agreement that sends the message that Washington gets it and we can provide the adult leadership that’s needed so urgently. I particularly hope his message about revenues is heard across this city because it is vital to the kind of bold, fair agreement our country and our economy are waiting for. This is a time to think about the next generation not the next election.
Senator Alan Simpson & Erskine Bowles, National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform
At a time when partisan politics seems to be getting the best of the deficit reduction efforts, Mayor Bloomberg's speech today was a much needed call to end the Washington stalemate and find meaningful solutions. We applaud the Mayor's forward thinking remarks that ask everyone to look for revenues and cuts to bring about a bold plan that will get this country out of the recession and back on the path to prosperity.
Peter Peterson, Chairman, Peter G. Peterson Foundation
As usual, Mayor Bloomberg is correctly focused on results rather than ideology when it comes to getting our nation’s finances in order. The Mayor understands how deeply this issue affects our economy – both today and for future generations. By keeping all options on the table – including new revenues, cuts in spending, and sensible entitlement reforms – the super committee can and should reach an agreement that 'goes big' and 'goes long,' stretching beyond its $1.2 trillion goal, building confidence in today’s economy, and putting America on a much more sustainable and prosperous path for the long term.
Peter Orszag, Former Director, Office of Management and Budget
Mayor Bloomberg, in a refreshingly honest set of proposals, has put forward a path to addressing our medium- and long-term deficits. We desperately need more job creation now and more deficit reduction over time, and yet most policy-makers are unwilling to go beyond empty rhetoric on how to cut our long-term fiscal gap. Mayor Bloomberg should be commended for stepping forward with specific proposals.
Maya MacGuineas, New America Foundation: Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget
Mayor Bloomberg’s speech is a no-nonsense assessment of where we are and where we need to go. We cannot continue to delay in addressing our fiscal problems due to posturing and gridlock; we cannot tinker with small solutions to large problems; and we cannot avoid the real policy choices we know have to be made. I commend Mayor Bloomberg for lending his voice to this dialogue and hope that Congress abandons politics in favor of the kind of action the Mayor calls for.
Senator Bob Corker (R-TN)
Washington’s lack of fiscal discipline is the biggest issue we face and the more that political and business leaders weigh in the better. While we may differ on some of the details he laid out this morning, we thank Mayor Bloomberg for his focus on this important issue and hope that others will join him in encouraging the deficit reduction committee to offer a significant proposal to address the most serious threat our country faces.
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