Van Hollen: Trigger mechanism a way to get compromise

Congressman Chris Van Hollen, ranking member of the House Budget Committee, hinted at the possibility of a deal between House and Senate leaders to raise the debt ceiling before the Aug. 2 deadline.

"If you can create a mechanism so that if you don't get the deficit savings through the normal process, you have these triggers that guarantee that deficit savings in a balanced way through both spending cuts, but also revenue, then you can get there," Van Hollen said on MSNBC's "Andrea Mitchell Reports."

The Maryland Democrat said this would be possible because it would guarantee deficit reduction, so that congress could "extend the debt ceiling for whatever period of time" it wants.

"We have always said we should have triggers in order to provide that guarantee that you get the deficit reduction. What's always happened is that our Republican colleagues have refused to have balance," he said.

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dangerfield

He did such a bang-up job heading up the DCCC, I'm sure his colleagues are excited as I am to hear his latest idea...I HAVE one of those damned keychains btw...

#1 - Thu Jul 28, 2011 5:45 PM EDT

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL

WOW - DF - you sure know how to clear a room

Keep on with your indepenent bullsh!t - as YOU can see every one is buying it! LMFAO!

1 vote

#1.1 - Thu Jul 28, 2011 9:35 PM EDT

Fed up Senior

Amazing that Van Hollen could speak three words without demonizing ythe Republicans for trying to get to a realistic solution. Great. Let's put in a trigger that says if the rest of the budget cut goals identified in the Boehner Plan cannot be reached by the "commission", then we can start defunding the ridiculous amount of new IRS agents and useless oversight commissions and boards called out in Obamacare! Done!!!! There has to be something that keeps the Democrats are the cut table because they will not even participate if they are not drug there kicking and screaming!

I might also add t hat six months should give the Congress adequate time to do some major tax reform that expands the tax base by eliminating ridiculous exemptions and reducing the marginal rates in return for everyone to get this economy moving again... there you could have your revenue side!!! See... something for everyone!!! Let's do it!!!

#2 - Fri Jul 29, 2011 7:50 AM EDT