Day 5: Luetkemeyer Remains Silent on Deficit

Press Release

After five days of silence from Blaine Luetkemeyer on the need to reduce the federal deficit, the Baker Campaign asked for a response to part one of Judy Baker's plan: save seniors money and negotiate with drug companies.

"Washington is wasting hundreds of billions of dollars and making seniors pay more money than they have to for their medications. Judy would reform Medicare Part D so that we negotiate with drug companies that are making huge profits," said Baker spokesman Paul Tencher. "Certainly, Mr. Luetkemeyer can agree to this common sense initiative that would slow the outrageous spending and make government work smarter. This is the type of change Judy will bring to Washington."

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its estimates for the national deficit last week and cited a gloomy outlook. This year's budget deficit is estimated at $407 billion and will increase to $438 billion in 2009, according to CBO's projections.

Wednesday, Baker said immediate steps should be taken to work towards a balanced budget. She said she would propose legislation to open Medicare Part D to price negotiation just like the Veteran's Administration already does. According to the non-partisan National Committee to Save Social Security and Medicare, this step could save hundreds of billions of dollars.

Baker would also push for greater accountability from Iraq to fund their security measures and training. Iraq is estimating a budget surplus of nearly $80 billion, while the U.S. is still spending almost $12 billion per month in Iraq.

As a symbolic sign, Baker also said she would not vote for any pay raise until the federal deficit is erased and Washington starts spending within its means.

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