Issue Position: Reducing the Deficit

Issue Position

Our nation's rising debt is one of the biggest threats to America's economic future. In order to get our fiscal house in order, John believes that both parties must sit down and come up with an agreement that addresses this serious problem in a way that's balanced, fair, and responsible.

Since arriving in Congress, John has advocated for a comprehensive deficit reduction plan that makes real progress on cutting spending while protecting the middle class. He believes the plan should also maintain critical investments in areas key to America's long-term economic growth like infrastructure and education.

During the debt ceiling debate, John was a member of the "Go Big" Coalition, a group of 100 lawmakers from both parties and both chambers who were fighting for a large, ten-year balanced deficit reduction plan. John has also worked to make the budgeting process more transparent so that gimmicks and tricks that hide spending aren't allowed anymore.

John was one of just 38 members of Congress to vote for the Simpson-Bowles deficit reduction framework, the only bipartisan fiscal plan offered this year. The proposal would reduce the deficit by $4 trillion over ten years.
John put forward a proposal that would force Congress to take a vote, at least once every two years, to eliminate or reduce spending on government programs that just don't work, or aren't necessary, as determined by the Office of Management and Budget.
John introduced a responsible balanced budget proposal that protects Social Security and will continue to allow for critical investment in long-term infrastructure projects and emergency spending during times of war or recession. His proposal is similar to Delaware's balanced budget requirement, which ensures fiscal responsibility without the risk of an economic collapse.

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