WASHINGTON, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- A top U.S. congressional Republican said Saturday Democrats were unwilling to cut spending as part of deficit reduction, calling it an "irresponsible" position.
Rep. Dave Camp, R-Mich., chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, said in the Republicans' weekly address deficit reduction requires cuts in "wasteful spending" and "strengthening programs like Medicare and Social Security."
The deficit reduction package enacted this week preserves income tax rates on all income under $400,000 for individuals and $450,000 for couples. Republicans who supported the compromise said they were willing to take on spending during subsequent talks on raising the country's debt ceiling, but Camp criticized Democrats for not putting spending cuts on the table during the recent negotiations, The Hill reported.
"That position is irresponsible and fails to acknowledge what every family in America already knows -- when you have no more money in your account and your credit cards are maxed out, then the spending must stop," he said.
Camp noted that House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, has said "the American people re-elected a Republican majority ... and we will use it in 2013 to hold the president accountable for the 'balanced' approach he promised."
"That means cutting wasteful spending, strengthening programs like Medicare and Social Security so that they're there when Americans need them, and creating a tax code that creates a healthy economy."
Camp called for a "simpler, flatter, fairer tax code that's designed for taxpayers."
