Debt Reduction Committee: Update from Max

October 27, 2011

Fellow Montanans,

We are at a pivotal moment in history. Here at home and all across Europe, economies are struggling under mounting debt. The world is watching to see what America will do.

It's up to us to show the world that America can rise to this challenge and lead by example.




That's what we're trying to do on the debt committee. We are meeting day in and day out, burning the midnight oil to find solutions to get our debt under control.




As I'm working, I am fueled by the words of Montanans, who've told me over and over again: Max, get it done.

There is no doubt that getting it done will include serious spending cuts. And a balanced solution should also include revenue measures to make sure everyone is chipping in their fair share.

As we examine spending on the committee, we think about it in two categories.

The first is mandatory spending. As the name suggests, mandatory spending accounts for programs that are required by law like Medicare.

The second category, which I want to talk more about today, is called discretionary spending. Discretionary spending is the money we choose to spend on additional priorities from year to year.

Discretionary spending includes important programs for Montana like highway construction.
But, more than half of discretionary spending is for defense. And a big chunk of that half goes towards the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Last week marked the 10th anniversary of the war in Afghanistan. As we take stock of the challenges we face here at home a decade later, we can't ignore the role war spending has played in our budget crisis.

I salute our men and women in uniform and their families -- especially the brave Montanans who have volunteered for service at greater rates than anywhere else in the country. Because of their sacrifices, Osama bin Laden is dead and Al Qaeda is on the run.


Our American military is the best in the world. But it can't do everything. And we've stretched it too thin. It's time for Afghan forces to take responsibility for their own country. It's time to bring our troops home and focus on building a stronger future here in America.

Several of you have shared this same concern with me in your letters and during our tele-town hall.

Today, even our military leaders tell us that the biggest threat to our national security is here at home.

Straight from the mouth of the Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Admiral Mike Mullen said:

"Our national debt is our biggest national security threat."

When our military leaders speak, we should listen.

We spend more on military spending now than at any time since World War II, including the peak of the Cold War, and the wars in Korea and Vietnam.

Congress has approved more than $1.2 trillion for Iraq and Afghanistan -- all deficit spending. And that's not just military operations. It also includes reconstruction and foreign aid.

We have borrowed money from China to build up Iraq and Afghanistan, while our own infrastructure and economy are suffering here at home.

To put it into perspective:

• $1.2 trillion could double the number of public elementary schools in the United States.

• It could build the US interstate highway system we have today— five times over.




• And $1.2 trillion is enough to meet the obligations of the debt reduction committee.

Our troops have done an amazing job over the last decade. Thanks to their efforts, our world is now safer than it was 10 years ago. And we will never forget the price our troops have paid while fighting for their country -- especially the thousands who have given the ultimate sacrifice.

We must remain vigilant in fighting terrorism. We've also got to heed the words of Admiral Mullen, and be just as vigilant to get our debt under control.

When it comes to nation building, it's time to focus on America.

It's time to bring our troops home, and make this century the American century.

-- Max

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[pnovak69]

What BS is he talking. We are BROKE.

[Muzzy337]

Where is the apology from Congress to the American people? Why should anybody in this country tolerate such abysmal job performance from those in positions of responsibility? YOU ALL HAVE FAILED TO DO YOUR JOBS, THEREFORE YOU SHOULD FORFEIT YOUR PAYCHECKS UNTIL YOU START TO ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING OF MERIT. Paying you to sit there and blame the other guy is NOT going to fix the economy. Your inaction is much more poisonous than going back on some 18 year old tax pledge. GET REAL AND DO SOMETHING!

[MTgirltube]

Senator Baucus - Right on!!! Now if you can get it done I say Hooray!! About time we started taking care of our country and bring our service men and women home.

[squazzieusa]

Senator Baucus,

Let's cut subsidies as well: Amtrak, USPS, agricultural, energy (especially green energy). Repeal Obamacare should save quite a bit. In addition to pulling out of Iraq and Afghanistan, we should also pull out of the United Nations where leaders of other nations smear our name. We could dismantle the Department of Education since education should be the responsibilities of the states. Oh, the EPA is wasting the US taxpayer an incredible amount of money too. That's a start.

[cc1654]

Keep up the good fight, Max. Do NOT back down to Republicans attempting to continue to protect big corporations and the wealthiest American. Sleep well, knowing you are doing the right thing!  Many, many of us Montanans are proud of you and stand in support of your important work on this committee!!!

[SpacedSnake]

Thanks for the the hard work Max. I how you are able to come up with solutions for the boomers generation's mistakes without screwing over the the younger generation to bad.

[SpacedSnake]

Raise taxes to match spending until spending is reduced. We need to be paying for what we are getting and people need to know what it costs. We should have never borrowed to pay for those wars, future generations now have to pay for them.

[mattmel2003]

Hi Senator Baucus,

I agree with everything you said. I applaud your efforts in looking at the tough unpopular thing of cutting in programs like defense. I encourage you to read (if you haven't already) the Time Magazine article, "How to save a trillion dollars" in the April 14, 2011 issue. It's time we all put aside our selfish wants and perceived needs and do the right thing. Yes it may sting a little, but I fear the alternative of not making those tough cuts (and doing hard things like raisi

[treefarmerMT]

Thank you, Max. You got it exactly right. Let us add that we can cut government handouts to oil companies. They don't need a handout for doing what's profitable. Exxon reported the third quarter of record profit. Fund manager Nouriel Roubini expressed it well when he said, [Our government] "privatizes the gains while socializing the losses." Let's end socialism for the huge corporations and let them play on a level playing field with small businesses. Hang tough, Senator Baucus.

[motsk327]

We must seriously reduce the military/industrial output. We must repeal corporate person-hood. We need to plug corporate loop holes. Finally, to really and immediatel help all of us who have been forced to partially live off of our credit cards because of the real job shortage issues, we must put a cap on credit card interest rates. I personally have 2 credit cards that charge over 24% interest. This is usuary and must be controled.

Thanks for your efforts.