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Sen. Mike Lee: Not a Victory

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    Republican reaction to debt deal

  • Duration 5:56
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From the very beginning -- -- debate -- Tea Party members have said spending cuts do not go far off they also want a balanced budget amendment.

Did they win last night.

We told you of the New York Times writing today to Wall Street Journal writes this.

The big picture is that the deal as a victory for the cause of smaller government.

Arguably the biggest since welfare reform in 1996.

Does my next -- agree -- Utah senator Mike -- member of the Tea Party caucus senator good morning to you.

Morning bill you -- that.

Well look this is it is significant step forward in the sense that.

Seven or eight months ago people in this town were still talking about the need for another stimulus about more new government spending.

We're no longer talking about that -- that discussing not just whether to cut anything what how many trillions of dollars we should cut.

The reason I still don't support this bill is because He doesn't solve the underlying problem I've said since before I was even sworn into office.

That this is a permanent problem it's a long term problem and for that we need a long term solution.

The only way we can bind future congresses to stand by these cuts that were now discussing is through an amendment of the constitution.

That will actually restrict permanently congress'.

-- -- -- So you're -- no.

And I'm -- -- and I did not expect to hear that you shifted your position I've listened to you at the end of last week and over the weekend -- -- you helped shape this debate.

And arguably you have turned the attention of this entire story a 180 degrees in Washington.

Why got a call that victory.

Well because it's not a victory I mean it it would be a lot of -- have -- to -- victory absolutely I would I feel so passionately about this site and wrote a book about the need for a balanced budget amendment called freedom agenda.

But it's not a victory because we still haven't passed one.

And what I've said is that before we take on debt.

An unprecedented two and a half trillion dollars of new debt.

It's gonna take decades to take to -- that we need to put in place permanent structural spending reform.

They can't easily be circumvented.

I've mentioned with the New York Times is talking about regard the president they think He surrendered basically.

The Republicans.

Two to the Tea Party and I also read you what the Wall Street Journal said.

And that same article here's what it says Tea Party is -- do more for their cause.

By applauding this victory and working toward the next rather than diminishing what they've accomplished because.

He did not solve every fiscal problem than one impossible.

Swoop.

Elevator all one time is what it's thing.

That's that's absolutely right and get we haven't gotten what we need in this circumstance and -- not going to pretend that we have.

Now this is not the first time that I have disagreed with those two publications and I suspect it's not likely to be the last.

-- this passed in the house.

Do you think about -- house Republicans -- -- who voted against it on Friday and you heard from the liberal left in the house they're they're not happy at all.

And I think many Americans are probably went to bed bath size and -- -- -- got to figured out.

But it's still -- pass to go for a vote in the senate and the house do you think on Paper at the moment this gets -- It's going to be close Mike Mike gut tells me that it is likely to pass both houses.

But with -- -- and somewhat unconventional margins.

We we will of course know for sure within the next 36 hours but.

My hunch is telling me it's likely to pass -- -- mean by slim and unconventional is that 217 to eighteen.

They -- right right up to mark.

We have -- perhaps perhaps.

A little bit more comfortable than that.

And by unconventional I mean I I think you'll see some party crossover in both houses.

To make this pass them.

This trigger mechanism that has to be defined for our viewers in and for us frankly to they're gonna set up a special committee.

And before Thanksgiving that committee of six Democrats and six Republicans.

Are gonna come up with -- recommendations for spending cuts.

And then those recommendations will be before congress for -- votes.

If there is no agreement that cuts kick in automatically.

And a lot of these cuts the world go toward defenseman.

Are you comfortable with that.

-- know what I think a lot of my Republican colleagues are not going to be terribly comfortable with that either.

But there are certain things that only the federal government can do and national defense is one of them and this is why you're gonna have a lot of Republicans in both houses.

Who might otherwise have been inclined to support this -- who will be -- and comfortable as a result files but also we will not include automatic revenue increases which means no new taxes.

You believe it.

Well I I I believe that it may not have automatic revenue enhancements.

That that is not to say that.

-- the committee couldn't make recommendations that would result in tax increases.

And and that's troublesome as well but you know we'll we'll deal with this one piece at a time.

I see -- so you you believe then based on that answer that there is still the possibility that tax increases could come from us.

Well certainly at tax increases could be something that we could face I don't think that's our answer I think we.

Am not a revenue problem but a spending problem and that's why I intend to address it.

Through a permanent spending reform mechanism.

Embodied in the constitutional amendment OK Mike Lee is in no you know how many other nose or in the senate in your body.

I don't you know we got the news of this deal last night and I haven't hacked yet have enough a chance to talk to my colleagues.

Or counterparts in the house to to get even a -- vote count.

I should know more within an hour to OK what we just heard from Ron Johnson is our Greta last night and He was He was inspector in a big focus on this -- he's not happy Mike Lee thank you for your time the Republican -- -- -- We'll talk again -- thing.

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