Larson Statement on Failure of the Super Committee

WASHINGTON – House Democratic Caucus Chairman John B. Larson (CT), released the following statement on the failure of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to reach a deal that would put America back to work and reduce our deficit:

“The failure of the Super Committee to reach a deal is huge missed opportunity for the nation because it was the clearest shot for Congress to address the number one issue facing American families: jobs.

“Democrats were prepared to reach a big, bold, balanced deal that would have reduced our deficit by getting the 14 million unemployed and 25 million underemployed Americans back to work; because we know that job creation equals deficit reduction.

“Unfortunately, it’s now clear that the Republican majority was never interested in listening to the cries of the public. From the beginning they refused to address jobs while insisting on extending billions in tax cuts for the wealthiest among us and demanding that seniors and working families shoulder the burden.

“I applaud our appointees - Assistant Democratic Leader James E. Clyburn, Democratic Caucus Vice Chair Xavier Becerra and Budget Committee Ranking Member Chris Van Hollen – for standing strong for American families while working so hard to find compromise.

“With millions of Americans stuck in what one of my constituents called the ‘dark abyss of uncertainty’, for God’s sake, it’s time for Congress to buckle down and do something to get the nation back to work.”