U.S. Chamber Opposes Cutting Off Debate on a Flawed Federal Budget Proposal

"It's time to bring all parties to the table for an honest debate about revitalizing the economy and creating jobs," Josten says

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Executive Vice President of Government Affairs Bruce Josten today issued the following statement strongly discouraging the Obama administration from blasting its agenda through Congress using the reconciliation process:

"Cutting off debate on the most pressing issues facing this country, from taxes to health care to energy, eliminates any so-called 'transparency' in governing. Since Election Day, the Chamber has vowed to work with the President to address these fundamental issues in order to rebuild the economy. But we categorically oppose any attempt by the administration to ram an entire agenda through Congress by means of the reconciliation process.

"The President's budget proposal is just that: A proposal. These suggestions from the White House on how to spend over $3.6 trillion deserve an honest debate on Capitol Hill.

"As drafted, this budget drives the country in the wrong direction. It represents a huge expansion of the federal government paid for in large part by tax increases on businesses. President Obama promised transparency in government, but this is anything but transparent and includes numerous budgetary gimmicks.

"It offers an enormously expensive and untried cap-and-trade program which would fundamentally alter the energy industry and bring a de facto tax increase on all Americans. As frightening for America's businesses are the steps this plan takes toward government-run health care, its massive tax increases during a recession, and the huge amounts of social spending we can't afford.

"It's time to bring all parties to the table for an honest debate about revitalizing the economy and creating jobs. The budget process is the place to start."

The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

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