CHAIRMAN OF HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE CAMP'S STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT'S BUDGET

FROM: CONGRESSMAN DAVE CAMP'S WEBSITE
Camp Statement on the President’s Budget
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Washington, DC – Today, Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI) made the following statement in response to the President’s FY2014 Budget.

"Our country faces great challenges, and meeting those challenges requires that we work together. I welcome the President’s inclusion of reforms to Medicare and Social Security. With more than 10,000 Baby Boomers becoming eligible for benefits each day, it is critical that the White House and Congress work together to protect and preserve these programs for current and future beneficiaries. That is why the Committee will convene a series of hearings beginning next week to examine reforms supported by the President as well as other bipartisan solutions to help our nation’s seniors.

"I also welcome the President stepping forward on tax reform. However, as our economy continues to struggle and millions of Americans have given up looking for work altogether, the President’s plan doesn’t truly fix our broken tax code. In fact, while looking to help corporate America, the President’s plan does not address how complex, costly and unfair the tax code is for American families and small businesses. If the President is willing to do tax reform for Wall Street, then he should be willing to do tax reform for Main Street. Instead, the President chose to raise taxes again to fuel even more Washington spending. Tax reform should not be about making people pay more; it should be about strengthening our economy.

"I am most disappointed that the President’s budget never balances. Independent economists have shown that when we clean up the tax code and get spending back under control, we can strengthen the economy and create up to 1 million jobs in the first year alone. Those are the kinds of solutions we should focus on and work together to achieve. The American people deserve real results."

CHAIRMAN OF THE U.S. HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE'S VIEWS ON THE FISCAL CLIFF, HIGHER TAXES, AND FIXING SOCIAL SECURITY

FROM: CONGRESSMAN DAVE CAMP'S WEBSITE
Camp Statement on the Fiscal Cliff

Monday, December 10, 2012

Midland, MI – Today, Congressman Dave Camp (R-MI) released the following statement in response to President Obama’s event in Redford, MI.

"Today the President restated his same old demand to raise taxes on nearly 1 million small businesses. The time for campaign events is over, Michigan families and small businesses are at risk. Raising taxes will not create jobs. Tax reform, however, will create jobs here in Michigan and across America and produce more revenues – something the President demands. I urge the President to abandon his push for higher tax rates that threatens middle-class jobs. Comprehensive tax reform, which is supported by Republicans and Democrats in Congress, can help solve both the fiscal and jobs crisis we face in this country."

Social Security

Social Security must be protected for all Americans, especially those who are retired or near retirement age. The Social Security Trust Fund, however, faces significant financial challenges in the coming years. Without Congressional action, retirees could see reduced benefits as soon as 25 years from now.

The biggest strain on the Social Security Trust Fund is the simple fact that individuals live much longer lives today than in 1935, and the program has never truly been updated to keep pace with America’s demographic changes. Successfully fixing Social Security means that Americans who retire in 2035 will not be faced with a system that was built for the world of 1935, but a system that has been modernized to meet the realities of the 21st Century.

While adjustments to the system must be made sooner rather than later to ensure the Social Security Trust Fund remains solvent, I believe any reforms must assure Americans they will get back from Social Security what they have paid into the system over their lifetime. I also believe that the current system should remain in place for those at or near retirement age, who would not have time to plan for any changes.

While Congress faces difficult choices in order to improve Social Security’s long term financial outlook, I know this mission can be accomplished in a way that strengthens this vital government program.