RSS
By DON WALTON
From: Lincoln Journal Star
Sen. Ben Nelson turned thumbs-down Wednesday on proposals to help achieve deficit reduction through tax increases and said he was determined to protect Medicare and Social Security from budget assaults.
"We can cut trillions of dollars of spending without attacking Medicare and Social Security," he said.
Nelson said he wanted Congress to focus on "cuts, cuts, cuts" as it struggles with the need to reach some agreement that paves the way for an increase in the national debt ceiling to avoid a default on U.S. financial obligations.
No one knows the consequences of default, the Democratic senator said, but "nothing good" could come from that.
Reform of the tax code is essential in helping achieve long-term budget and economic stability, Nelson said. Focusing on specific so-called tax loopholes is "not really going to close the deficit," he said.
"Raising taxes at a time when the economy remains fragile takes us in the wrong direction," he said during a conference call from Washington.
Nelson said his planned congressional delegation trip to Afghanistan and Pakistan this week was canceled so senators can remain in Washington to work on spending issues.
###
Search: Issues, Economy, Budget, Health Care, Taxes, Social Issues, Nelson in the News