Jacob ‘Jack’ Lew, the president’s choice to become the next director of the Office of Management and Budget, told members of the Senate Budget Committee today that balancing the nation’s budget is going to take compromise and cooperation between parties, an effort he is well-equipped to facilitate.
Lew pointed to agreements he helped broker in 1990 between then-President George H.W. Bush and Democrats in Congress, and in 1997 between President Bill Clinton and the GOP as evidence of his ability to bridge gaps.
“Throughout my career I have tried to work collaboratively across partisan and ideological divides to cut through gridlocks and help solve what seem like intractable problems,” Lew said. “If confirmed as OMB Director, I will work in that bipartisan fashion again with the members of this committee, the leaders of both chambers and with all of those committed to taking constructive steps to rejuvenate our nation’s economy and our fiscal standing.”
If confirmed, Lew would replace Peter Orszag, who stepped down in June. With the nation’s debt approaching $14 trillion and unemployment at nearly 10%, Lew, who perviously served as OMB diretor during the Clinton administration, acknowledged that he has his work cut out for him.
“Our first task is to sustain and deepen the economic recovery to spur new job creation in the face of unsustainable budget deficits,” he said. “At the same time…it’ll take tough choices and putting partisanship aside to do what’s right for the country today, what’s right for our children and what’s right for our grandchildren.”
The battle over Lew’s confirmation is not expected to become too heated, with Republicans and Democrats alike expressing the willingness to support a familiar face.
“I believe Jack is a superb choice for this position,” said the committee’s chairman Kent Conrad (D-N.D.). “When I was asked by the White House my reaction, I told them I don’t think you can make a better choice then Jack Lew.”
“He’s done it once, he’s here to do it again,” said the committee’s top Republican, Judd Gregg (R-N.H.).
Bipartisan Approach Key To Fixing Budget, Says OMB Nominee
By Kyle LaFleur - Talk Radio News Service
Jacob ‘Jack’ Lew, the president’s choice to become the next director of the Office of Management and Budget, told members of the Senate Budget Committee today that balancing the nation’s budget is going to take compromise and cooperation between parties, an effort he is well-equipped to facilitate.
Lew pointed to agreements he helped broker in 1990 between then-President George H.W. Bush and Democrats in Congress, and in 1997 between President Bill Clinton and the GOP as evidence of his ability to bridge gaps.
“Throughout my career I have tried to work collaboratively across partisan and ideological divides to cut through gridlocks and help solve what seem like intractable problems,” Lew said. “If confirmed as OMB Director, I will work in that bipartisan fashion again with the members of this committee, the leaders of both chambers and with all of those committed to taking constructive steps to rejuvenate our nation’s economy and our fiscal standing.”
If confirmed, Lew would replace Peter Orszag, who stepped down in June. With the nation’s debt approaching $14 trillion and unemployment at nearly 10%, Lew, who perviously served as OMB diretor during the Clinton administration, acknowledged that he has his work cut out for him.
“Our first task is to sustain and deepen the economic recovery to spur new job creation in the face of unsustainable budget deficits,” he said. “At the same time…it’ll take tough choices and putting partisanship aside to do what’s right for the country today, what’s right for our children and what’s right for our grandchildren.”
The battle over Lew’s confirmation is not expected to become too heated, with Republicans and Democrats alike expressing the willingness to support a familiar face.
“I believe Jack is a superb choice for this position,” said the committee’s chairman Kent Conrad (D-N.D.). “When I was asked by the White House my reaction, I told them I don’t think you can make a better choice then Jack Lew.”
“He’s done it once, he’s here to do it again,” said the committee’s top Republican, Judd Gregg (R-N.H.).