Statement on Joint Committee Failure to Reach Agreement

Statement

Congressman Lee Terry today released the following statement regarding today's announcement by the Joint Select Committee has failed to reach an agreement on deficit reduction:

"Today's announcement is an embarrassment to Congress and an embarrassment to all Americans. This committee was specifically granted an unique opportunity to reduce spending and end loopholes -- ensuring a better future for our children. Unfortunately this opportunity was squandered. I'm frustrated the members tasked with this responsibility were unable to do what was best for our country, and I'm frustrated we even got to this point in the first place.

"While I'm concerned about our ability to defend our country due to the automatic cuts triggered by the committee's failure to reach an accord, they should not be subject to a legislative end-around. Phony spending cuts and the lack of political courage to make the hard choices is what got us to this point in the first place. That is not what the American people want or need. Now we have to find a way forward that restores some semblance of fiscal sanity, a path made even harder by today's announcement."

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