Third, we have to acknowledge that there is more to be done to bring spending in line with revenues and to raise the revenue to meet our obligations. The answer lies neither in all spending cuts nor all revenue increases. Most of us know that. There are tax expenditures that should be eliminated. There are investments in the public and private sector that must be made to ensure our economy grows. This includes spending on basic science and technology, education and innovation, and infrastructure and domestic energy.
We have to commit to tackle broader tax changes that result in new revenue if we are to meet the deficit reduction targets and see economic growth now and in the future. We should do this early in the new year to provide certainty for families and predictability for businesses and to build consumer and investor confidence.
The current fiscal path requires solutions. We should take the immediate action outlined above and set ourselves on a path to a comprehensive tax overhaul, deficit reduction and economic growth. This can be done only with bipartisan cooperation.
We must respond to the expectations the American people expressed in this election, give the economy the boost it needs and offer all Americans cause to be hopeful about the future.
Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz, D-Pa., is a member of the Budget and Foreign Affairs committees.
Lois Lerner, director of exempt organizations for the IRS, arrives for a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on the investigation of the IRS' targeting of political groups. Lerner invoked her Fifth Amendment right to not testify and caused a protest from some committee members when she offered an opening statement and engaged in dialogue with members before invoking the right.
Roll Call has launched a new feature, Hill Navigator, to advise congressional staffers and would-be staffers on how to manage workplace issues on Capitol Hill. Please send us your questions — anything from office etiquette, to handling awkward moments, to what happens when the work life gets too personal. Submissions will be treated anonymously.
