Ross discusses Congressional dysfunction

U.S. Congressman Mike Ross of Prescott issued the following statement after the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, also known as the “Super Committee”, announced that it will fail to pass a plan to reduce the deficit by $1.2 trillion by November 23, 2011, as required by the Budget Control Act of 2011 that was passed in August. If Congress is unable to reduce the deficit by $1.2 trillion by December 23, 2011, then a process known as sequestration will take effect in 2013, slashing all federal spending across-the-board, including defense spending, to achieve the $1.2 trillion in deficit reduction. Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare benefits, unemployment benefits and veterans’ benefits are exempt from sequestration and will not be part of the automatic cuts.

Earlier this month, Ross joined an effort to build a bipartisan coalition of more than 100 members of Congress – both Democrats and Republicans - to call on the Super Committee to “go big” and present a plan that reduces the deficit by $4 trillion through spending cuts and tax code reform – instead of the required minimum of $1.2 trillion.

Statement from U.S. Congressman Mike Ross of Prescott:

“It’s incredibly disappointing and troubling that the Super Committee couldn’t put partisan politics aside to address this country’s fiscal crisis. Their stalemate is just the latest example of the dysfunction in this Congress, which continues to weaken our economic recovery and punish working families.

“I was hopeful the Super Committee could get the job done and more. In fact, I led an effort in the House of Representatives to get more than 100 members of Congress – both Democrats and Republicans – to urge the Super Committee to go bigger than its $1.2 trillion minimum requirement and present a plan that reduces the deficit by $4 trillion. This was our nation’s opportunity to show the world how to lead, that America could step up and solve its own problems. But, once again, pure partisanship prevailed and gridlock remains in Congress.

“The American people expect their representatives in Washington to come together in a bipartisan way to solve the problems facing this country. The Super Committee’s failure to work together and present a comprehensive plan to bring down our debt and put the country on a fiscally sustainable path not only puts our economy and national security at risk, but also jeopardizes our standing as a world leader.