WASHINGTON, DC -- Congressman Collin C. Peterson (DFL-7th District), co-chair for policy for The Coalition, announced today that the group is going to take an active and constructive role during the budget resolution conference and throughout the entire budget process.
"The Coalition strongly supports the goal of balancing the budget by 2002 and is committed to finding a bi-partisan solution to our deficit problem," Peterson said. "We will support a reasonable, balanced and responsible plan to balance the budget.
"Reducing the deficit should be the highest priority throughout the budget process. The budget resolution must provide for a reasonable glide path toward a balanced budget by 2002 and ultimately a budget that is balanced without using the trust find surpluses to mask the true size of the deficit. The deficit reduction should be enforced by a single reconciliation bill covering the full seven years.
"We believe it is imperative that the budget control the growth of entitlement spending. To that end, we support reforms of Medicare and Medicaid to reduce the rapid growth of these programs. However, Congress must avoid placing an undue burden on the health care system or low-income beneficiaries.
"A deficit reduction plan should require sacrifice in all areas of the budget without unfairly targeting any one area of the budget for reductions. The Coalition believes that the budget must preserve a strong national defense, but defense must not be exempted from deficit reduction. Agricultural programs also should contribute to deficit reduction, but Congress must recognize the cuts that have already been made in agriculture."
The Coalition members have pledged to work with all members who share their concerns about the federal deficit to enact a balanced budget plan that meets all of these principals.