McConnell: ‘Common-Sense Reforms’ Key to Solving Debt, Spending Commitments
‘So let’s sit down. Let’s talk this out. Members on both sides of the aisle here in Congress are discussing solutions and those discussions will continue when we return from the White House.’
October 11, 2013
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the need for Senate Democrats to negotiate with Republicans over debt and spending-cut solutions:
“Later this morning, I’ll join my Senate Republican colleagues at the White House.
“It could be a great opportunity to engage in a frank exchange of ideas with the President, if that’s what he’s looking for.
“But if all the President wants is to just drag us over there to say he won’t negotiate – well that won’t be particularly productive.
“Throughout this crisis, the President has taken what you might call an unorthodox approach to governing.
“His basic position could be summed up in three words: he won’t negotiate. And I think that’s left many Americans scratching their heads.
“I know the President and Democrat leaders in Congress want to borrow more money without any strings attached.
“But the rest of us actually want to enact common-sense reforms to get our debt under control, and we want to keep our commitments to the American people.
“And here’s a key point: no one wants a default. That's why, in 50 years of negotiations over multiple debt ceiling increases, we haven't had a single one. So let's put this hysterical talk of default behind us and instead start talking about finding solutions.
“There are a variety of ways to get debt and spending under control, a lot of innovative reforms we could consider. But we’ve got to talk to each other to make it all happen.
“I’ll bet some of my Democrat friends have spending-cut ideas too, and we’d like to hear them.
“So let’s sit down. Let’s talk this out. Members on both sides of the aisle here in Congress are discussing solutions and those discussions will continue when we return from the White House.”