Deficit Reduction Revisited

The Federal government should re-establish the U.S. Congress Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction. Like its predecessors, it would have equal members of Democrats and Republicans, Senators and Representatives, but with two changes. Appointees would come from the ‘donor’ states (those that send more money to Washington than they receive), and one position would be added. The new position would be the Chairperson for the Commission, and would be registered as an Independent. Using the Simpson-Bowles Report as a starting point, each Party’s members would prepare lists of cuts and taxes for $750 Billion each. With all votes strictly ‘majority rules’, the Commission as a whole would vote Yea or Nay on each line item until the monetary goals are met.