As Vermont's senator and a member of the Budget Committee, I will not support a plan to reduce the deficit that does not call for shared sacrifice.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
I'm one of those that have said, one of my key principles is I will not support a health care reform bill that is not deficit-neutral, period.
I've made a commitment that state spending in Vermont won't grow any more than the rate of inflation plus population growth.
While the deficit and debt are serious problems, I oppose solving these problems by raising taxes.
I have said, with respect to authorization bills, that I do not want the Congress or the country to commit fiscal suicide on the installment plan.
I want to be very clear: I will not sign on to any health plan that adds to our deficits over the next decade.
I will not be making appointments to a committee that is not bipartisan.
Our priority must be to build a path towards balancing the budget, and we cannot tolerate growing deficits.
If we didn't propose these reforms, we would not have proposed a budget that got the debt under control.
Regardless of my legislation, spending has to be stopped.
Even with not having a balanced budget at this time, I support tax cuts. That will help limit spending.