U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Fla., is going after some big Democratic game -- U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, R-Nev.
In the aftermath of the Democratic-controlled Senate and Republican-controlled House reaching an agreement to raise the federal debt ceiling and end the government shutdown earlier this month, Reid tried to lower expectations about a long-term agreement between the two sides.
Appearing on a radio show on KNPR in Nevada on Thursday, Reid said he had modest expectations of a joint committee led by U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., to iron out the differences. Murray and Ryan will convene the joint committees meetings on Wednesday.
I hope that we can do some stuff to get rid of sequestration and go on to do some sensible budgets, Reid said. Ive got a wonderful leader of my Budget Committee, Patty Murray from the state of Washington, and I feel pretty comfortable that shell do a good job for us.
Reid called for more revenue, including raising taxes, to keep the federal government afloat. Taking aim at the Republicans, Reid slammed them for having their mind set on doing nothing, nothing more on revenue, and until they get off that kick, theres not going to be a grand bargain ... theres not going to be a small bargain, Reid insisted.
Were just going to have to do something to work our way through sequestration, Reid added, though he called sequestration brutal and senseless.
Reid continued to sound pessimistic about the chances for a major agreement between Democrats and Republicans. I hope there would be a grand bargain, but I dont see that happening, Reid said.
Rooney fired away at Reid, insisting he was closing the door to a deal even before negotiations began.
How on earth are we ever going to do anything about our nations debt crisis if the majority leader of the Senate says before negotiations even begin that there wont be a deal? Rooney demanded before slamming Reid. Ive said it before and Ill say it again Harry Reid is the most unwilling person to compromise in Washington. Time and again he kills any effort to do something, anything, that will positively impact our nations fiscal outlook. The American people deserve better than his steadfast refusal to negotiate and to get things done. It is truly a shame.
Rooney said Republicans should find another Democratic leader in the Senate to deal with if Reid wont negotiate.
If Harry Reid wont negotiate, and wont even try to get a deal, then were just going to have to find someone else on the other side of the aisle to work with, because the problems our country faces are simply too big to ignore just because of one persons typical obstinacy, Rooney said. I want to get a grand bargain that fixes our nations broken tax code, saves Social Security and Medicare for the next generation, and protects our children from a future of crippling debt are there any Democrats in Washington who share that goal and are willing to defy Harry Reid to get it done?
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com.
