Dr. Coburn on Debt Commission draft

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK) released the following statement today regarding the discussion draft released by President Obama’s Debt Commission:  

“The greatest national security threat facing America today is our national debt and a Congress that has avoided tough choices for decades.  The discussion draft describes some of the tough choices facing Congress and the nation.  The commission has a lot of work to do before reaching any agreement, but people of good faith on both sides acknowledge that the worst option is to do nothing.”   

“The American people will no doubt have a healthy and robust debate about these options, as they should.  However, I would encourage taxpayers to view with great suspicion the beltway, interest group culture that often prefers demagoguery over honest debate.  In the real world, no family facing tough economic times has the luxury of treating portions of their budget as sacrosanct.  Neither should Congress.  The fact is if our country is going to survive for another generation Congress has to make the tough choices now that will put us on a sustainable path.”