Your view of removing tax breaks and incentives?
We don’t have a revenue problem. We have a spending problem. We have to address it. The deficit commission’s report was outstanding, similar to the fundamental reforms Ronald Reagan made in ’86. We have to consider something similar.
Why is a biennial budget critical?
It requires appropriations to be done in odd-numbered years and oversight done in even-numbered years. It would change the paradigm in Washington. We don’t look back at our spending; we look forward. It would add discipline.
Are multiple deficit reduction panels bringing us any closer to reining in the deficit?
We’re finally talking about the problem in substantive terms. Any time you’re doing that, you’re making progress. We need all hands on deck for this issue.
Is the debt ceiling debate the place to bargain on spending cuts?
We’re looking at a pending financial difficulty, which will give us runaway interest rates, runaway inflation, less confidence in American debt standards. It’s the appropriate way to do it.
What will it take for Senate Republicans to vote for a debt-ceiling increase?
Three issues: a balanced budget amendment, an act to cap expenditures, and a biennial budget and appropriations act. An up-or-down vote alone would signal we’re not willing to deal with structural and fundamental problems — unthinkable.