Coburn, Crapo Support Debt Commission's Plan

By A.J. Swartwood

The recommendations made by the President’s National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform this week will be supported by Senators Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), two Republican members of the Commission.

“Our debt crisis is a threat to not just our way of life, but our national survival,” Crapo said during a press conference Thursday. “Doing nothing will sooner rather than later, guarantee that this nation becomes a second rate power with less opporutunity and less freedom.”

Although both Senators called the plan “flawed and incomplete” they acknowledged that it will help put the U.S. back on the track to fiscal responsibility.

Calling it a “matter of national survival,” Sen. Coburn said he was “scared to death” at what might face the nation if no action was taken.

The move divides the conservative GOP members of the commission, with Reps. Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) and Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) having already expressed opposition to the plan.

The commission requires that 14 of the 18 members approve the plan in order for a formal recommendation to be sent to Congress. Crapo said he is still hopeful that getting those 14 votes is possible.

It is expected that the entire panel will vote on the plan by tomorrow.

Baucus Accuses Republican Senator Of Attempting To "Gut And Kill" Health Care Reform

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus accused Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) of attempting to "gut and kill" health care reform legislation Thursday during the Committee's seventh day of markup for the America's Healthy Future Act.

“You want to gut the President’s program, or you want to cut health care reform," Baucus said to Crapo. He added, “you want to take away personal responsibility for individuals to buy personal coverage… this amendment guts and kills health care reform."

The amendment states "This amendment provides that no tax, fee or penalty imposed by this legislation shall be applied to any individual earning less than $200,000 per year or any couple earning less than $250,000 per year."

There was a ray of bi-partisanship Thursday when Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky.) introduced an amendment that would allow taxpayers to deduct over-the-counter medical products as medical expenses. Chairman Baucus along with Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D- Mich.) offered to assist the Senator from Kentucky on the amendment, both agreeing that it addresses an important issue.

Chairman Baucus hopes to finish the markup late Thursday night. The Finance Committee has heard arguments for 107 amendments of the 564 submitted.