Republican U.S. Rep. Allen of Florida lauded President Barack Obama for changing his position to propose Medicare spending reductions and address the rising cost of Social Security in budget and debt ceiling negotiations.
“I want to take this moment to commend President Obama for facing the facts that, in order for us to bring our fiscal house in order, we need to take necessary steps to address mandatory spending such as Medicare and Social Security,” West said today. “For too long, individuals and special interests groups have used these programs to demagogue and scare seniors in order to gain a political advantage. President Obama says he finally realizes that to save these programs we need to make significant reforms, and I support his goals.”
West said that, in meeting with seniors in his 22nd Congressional District, he has stated that Social Security and Medicare can be reformed without affecting seniors in those programs now. He also has stated his willingness to close loopholes.
“Our tax code needs to be used to provide economic growth and create jobs. It cannot be used to punish individuals and small businesses that create jobs. With Florida’s unemployment rate more than 9 percent, we just cannot exacerbate the situation with counterproductive tax policies,” West said.
“It's obvious this discussion is being held because our nation has a debt of more than $14 trillion, and we are now asking the American people to raise our credit limit once again. Our federal government, our Congress, and the president need to realize we cannot continue to spend away our children's and our grandchildren’s future,” West concluded.
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