Three Florida Reps Sign 'All Options' Letter to Supercommittee

Three members of Florida's congressional delegation -- Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, Ander Crenshaw, R-Jacksonville, and Tom Rooney, R-Tequesta -- joined 97 other House members in signing a letter Wednesday to members of Congress' special debt reduction committee to consider all options to cut $4 trillion from the federal budget.

"To succeed, all options for mandatory and discretionary spending and revenues must be on the table," stated the letter signed by 40 Republicans and 60 Democrats.

The so-called "supercommittee" has a deadline of Nov. 23 to come up with a plan aimed at reducing federal spending by $1.5 trillion over the next decade, and both houses have until Dec. 23 to approve the plan.

The letter reads:

"Dear Congressman Hensarling, Senator Murray, and Members of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction,

We write to you as a bipartisan group of representatives from across the political spectrum in the belief that the success of your committee is vital to our countrys future. We know that many in Washington and around the country do not believe we in the Congress and those within your committee can successfully meet this challenge. We believe that we can and we must.

To succeed, all options for mandatory and discretionary spending and revenues must be on the table. In addition, we know from other bipartisan frameworks that a target of some $4 trillion in deficit reduction is necessary to stabilize our debt as a share of the economy and assure Americas fiscal well-being.

Our country needs our honest, bipartisan judgment and our political courage. Your committee has been given a unique opportunity and authority to act. We are prepared to support you in this effort.

Read more here.