Kerry and Baucus both say that increasing jobs should be part of the supercommittee's solution

[karynnj]

This article has comments that suggest the Democrats on the super committee are listening to the country and the progressive caucus. Expanding the economy will by itself lower government costs and raise revenues - thus lowering the debt.

Democrats on the Super Congress will insist that the body's mandate be expanded to include job creation measures, setting up the first major ideological battle a day before the panel is set to meet for the first time.

Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) said on Wednesday that Democrats on the panel are in agreement that the national debt can't be decreased without growing the economy. "It's part of the recovery. Growth will raise revenue," Baucus said after a lunch meeting with Democrats. He declined to specify the size of a stimulus package he'd want included. "It's gotta be one that makes sense," he said, distancing himself, apparently, from the camp that advocates a senseless plan.

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), the author of a bill to create an infrastructure bank that would spur construction lending, also said that the panel should focus on job growth. "I don't think you can reduce the deficit of the country in the scope that we need to without growth," he said. "We have to have that discussion."

<snip>
The Democratic insistence on a focus on jobs puts the party's panel members in step with the Congressional Progressive Caucus, which previously called for the committee to prioritize job creation as a way to pay down the debt. As more people find work, more workers are paying income taxes and fewer are collecting unemployment benefits or disability.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/07/super-congress-super-committee-members_n_952606.html

[TwilightGardener]

1. I am giggling at this line:

He declined to specify the size of a stimulus package he'd want included. "It's gotta be one that makes sense," he said, distancing himself, apparently, from the camp that advocates a senseless plan.

[karynnj]

2. That is a pretty snarky comment by the journalist, but Baucus' addition

did kind of ask for it.

[karynnj]

3. kick for the morning

This is the first I have heard from the three Democratic Senators. There have been many posts attacking them preemptively - so this deserves some visibility.

[Inuca]

4. For those interested and able

first committee meeting today at 10:30 to be carried live by CSPAN3. I am interested but not able (can't get CSPAN3 and can't really stream :-().

[karynnj]

5. Thanks for the heads up

It will be interesting. Often something covered live on CSPAN3 is replayed on CSPAN 1 or 2 during the hours the House and Senate are not in session.

[Inuca]

7. I know. Also

seems that the House will not be really busy today, so maybe they will switch to the meeting during dead times (though it is always possible for Steven King or somebody equally loquaciou, to giveone of his never-ending speeches). Not feeling well today and not going ot work, so I will prbably spend most of the day in bed glued to the TV :-(.

[karynnj]

9. Sorry to hear that you are not feeling well

:(

[Inuca]

13. Nothing serious :-) n/t

[Enrique]

6. i wasn't expecting that

:thumbsup:

[Inuca]

8. Maybe Baucus

is not so horrible after all :-) :hi:

[karynnj]

10. I was not surprised at all as I have followed Kerry's speeches

and have watched enough Finance committee hearings to think that Baucus, though a conservative Democrat, is not as bad as most on DU think. As Chair of Finance, it was his responsibility on the health care bill to get the best bill that could pass - and I really don't see anything that could have passed that would have been better. The problems were Joe Leiberman, Ben Nelson etc.

[karynnj]

11. Hersarling opened the meeting

September 13 th will be the first hearing and all the members will make statements. Murray and Hersarling will alternate chairing the hearings. The only witness at the first hearing will be CBO person Doug Elmendorf and the topic is the history and drivers of this problem.

Hersaling opening statement - He says that cutting the debt itself will help the economy. He also speaks of the children and the loss of freedom and our standard of living. He quotes Obama that Medicare and SS are the main drivers and are unsustainable. "progrowth" tax reform. Must be about saving the safety net programs (!) Task not easy.

Says that there will be some chance for the public to be heard, but he also said that some meetings will be closed.

[karynnj]

12. Murray speaking now

Says people she speaks to are concerned that the government is broken. Says that though they all got into politics for different reasons, but no one got in to engage in the petty bickering. Murray said that there is a deep ans serious problem with short and long term debt, but working together, we can solve this. Says that we owe it to the families to put their needs first and to put the country on a solid basis.

She says that committee members have not drawn lines in the sand. Says they have real differences. Says they need to produce something that none of them would have written on their own but which they can be proud of.

Says that today they will speak of the rules that she and Hershaling came up with.

[karynnj]

15. Portman (R,OH) now

Speaks of too much debt does not create jobs, but uncertainty. (Gee didn't he work for Bush when the 2 tax cuts were enacted)

He says that the goal only reduces the INCREASE in the debt for the next 10 years by 12%. (Wonder what he had as assumptions to create that forecast.) Claims that revenue is at an all time high. (Obviously in absolute numbers - they are at a several decade low)

Becarra (D House member from CA)
Says failure is not an option. Says that everyone needs to listen and not favor powerful interests. Says that they need to tackle the biggest deficit - THE JOBS DEFICIT.

Need to shine a light on loopholes. Says best way to reduce deficit is to get people back to work. Must have balance - must reduce deficit. "American solution"

Camp(R House member from MI)
Too much debt inhibiting growth. About 14 million people out of work with a debt that by the end of the year will exceed GDP. Says both parties to blame and solutions not enacted. (Disturbance - "Jobs now" - I think)

[karynnj]

17. Baucus ( D, MT) Now

Spoke of climbing a mountain, when he got the call from Reid to go on the committee. But, the main thing he heard from everyone was "Max it is good to have you on the committee, but it will be a hard job and they are sorry for him." Says that they should try to aim high to get their house in order.

Says they have to be fair, balanced - must include revenues - must take advantage of work previously done. Says that efforts must create more jobs - which creates more revenue making the job easier. Must work together.

Toomey(R, PA)
Says that they have an opportunity to get the country on a fiscally sound path. Says that just getting the amount of cuts is not enough - must address entitlements - get them on a viable path. Maximize growth. $3 trillion comes from a 1% increase in growth. His prescription is lower taxes in a simpler code and cutting spending. Wipe out special interest loopholes

[karynnj]

18. Clyburn (D House SC) now

Spoke of them NOT being the apostles. Says that getting a solution is the best way to get the respect back for the Congress. Spoke of the number of people unemployed. Says that any soltion must be fair and it is wrong to put all the burden on the elderly, poor and the middle class. Spoke of the increasing concentration of wealth at the top - squeezing the MC and sending more people into poverty.

Upton (R House MI)
Spent last month meeting with constituents. Says that his state produced many great inventions, but is now in trouble and regulatory and debt problems created uncertainty that causes loss of jobs. (Where is the thank you for bailing out two major employees???)

Recovery is getting slower - means that the debt will be higher than CBO predicted. Must cut spending. Goal is to seek common ground - identify places where money is spent unwisely and are we supporting job group.

[karynnj]

19. Kerry

ry

Says the ONLY way to meet the goal is to expand the economy and make it work again. Need to listen to the American people. Need to fix both jobs and budget. Need to examine our consciences. Says that current path is unsustainable, but says our values are to take care of the sick and the less fortunate and to give kids opportunity. Need to find not just common ground, but higher ground. Says it is "our turn" and that they will find a bipartisan solution and he wants to get to work. (really good statement, but he says so much so quickly and I am a slow typist.)

Kyl

Says that he is struck by commonality of what was said (he then summarizes the Republican talking points) He then said that he wants to issue a warning to any who think this will be easy (WHO THINKS that??) Says that time is less than most think because of need to have CBO score it - says may be needed by end of October.

[karynnj]

20. Van Hollen (D House MD)

Says the main driver of low jobs is low consumer demand. Speaks of the bipartisan committees that all were for growing the economy, and eliminating loopholes and raising revenue - points out that both reduce the debt. Says neither side should think that the next election would realign things so one party or the other can get everything they want.

Now they are bringing up the rules - which they dispensed with reading. They are a compromise between Senate and House rules. Murray asked that "meeting" have the meaning of hearings and other formal meeting, not every conversation.

Van Hollen asked of the hearings - wants input from the previous task forces. Murray - still working on it - 7 day notice before hearing required. They passed rules on voice vote and adjourned.

[blm]

22. Nobody ever holds Portman to account - not him or any other Bush economic team figure

.

[paparush]

14. See my sig

[Inuca]

16. Thanks for the updates! Also

FYI there is a #supercommittee hashtag on twitter

[karynnj]

21. Thanks

I will look at it.

[karynnj]

23. CSPAN link to video

Here is a link to video at Cspan http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/JointSel