Former Senate Budget Committee Chairman Pete Domenici and Former White House Budget Director Alice Rivlin Call For Leadership and Immediate Action on the Debt

Domenici and Rivlin Testified as Co-Chairs of the Bipartisan Policy Center's Debt Reduction Task Force

WASHINGTON, March 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In testimony before the Senate Budget Committee today, former Senate Budget Committee Chairman Pete Domenici and former White House Budget Director Alice Rivlin, co-chairs of the Bipartisan Policy Center's (BPC) Debt Reduction Task Force, called on Members of Congress to act quickly and enact a comprehensive budget plan to reduce the nation's mounting debt.

"I'm of the impression that [a budget deal] can be [reached] this year. If you and your colleagues have the will, a multi-year, bipartisan budget plan can be adopted," said Senator Domenici in his statement before members of the Committee. "I call on you all to set partisan interests aside and put our fiscal house in order."

"The urgent necessity to reduce future debt is also a major opportunity to make our government operate more fairly and effectively," said Dr. Rivlin in her statement. "All parts of the budget must be part of the solution to this huge challenge." Dr. Rivlin concluded by saying, "I want to underscore that the congressional budget process gives your Committee the means, at this critical moment in history, to adopt a comprehensive debt stabilization plan. If you have the courage and political will, the Budget Resolution and Budget Reconciliation processes provide all the tools you need to restore fiscal responsibility."

"We are testifying before the Committee today not just to add our voices to the chorus that is warning of danger ahead. Rather, we are here to highlight our battle scars from budget fights of the past, and illuminate a bipartisan path forward to address the looming debt crisis facing our great nation," said Senator Domenici. "Mr. President, we need you to lead on this critical issue. We need you to say, 'I'm not going to let this happen to America on my watch.'"

Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), a member of the Committee, thanked Senator Domenici and Dr. Rivlin for their work and said "we need your voices continuing to urge us."

Click here to watch video from today's hearing and to listen to Senator Domenici's and Dr. Rivlin's full statements.

Senator Domenici and Dr. Rivlin led the BPC's 19-member bipartisan task force which released its bold, comprehensive plan to address the nation's debt crisis last November, titled "Restoring America's Future." The Domenici-Rivlin Task Force plan includes specific proposals, which would reduce and stabilize the debt at 60 percent of the economy, reform personal and corporate taxes to make America more competitive, ensure that Social Security can pay benefits to future generations, and control health care costs.

About the Bipartisan Policy Center:

In 2007, former U.S. Senate Majority Leaders Howard Baker, Tom Daschle, Bob Dole, and George Mitchell formed the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) to develop and promote solutions that can attract the public support and political momentum to achieve real progress. Currently, the BPC focuses on issues including health care, energy, national and homeland security, transportation and economic policy. For more information, please visit our website: http://www.bipartisanpolicy.org/.

SOURCE Bipartisan Policy Center

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