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What spending cuts is GOP pushing for?

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    Rep. Lynn Jenkins on 'fiscal cliff' talks

  • Duration 6:15
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-- so far there have been few public signs of progress in talks to -- the nation from falling over that fiscal -- Republicans agreeing in principle -- on the need to raise revenue.

The Democrats apparently offering very little in the way of specific spending -- house speaker John Boehner not mincing words moments ago.

First.

And despite those claims that the president supports a balanced approach.

That Democrats that have yet to get serious.

About real spending cuts.

And secondly.

No substantive progress had been made -- talks between the White House in the house over the last two weeks.

-- this is not a game.

Jobs are on the line the American economy is on the line.

And this is a moment for adult leadership.

On the other -- -- senate majority leader Harry Reid says he's still waiting break quote reasonable proposal.

From speaker Boehner so while we're all waiting can't I can't -- congresswoman Lynn Jenkins is member of the Ways and Means Committee -- in the new vice chair.

At the House Republican Conference in new leadership position for her congresswoman I welcome to show congratulations on your new role.

Thanks Ian thanks for having me or where the seven.

-- -- -- maybe in your face to just a little background.

I grew up on a dairy farming can this -- a background in accounting and economics served as state treasurer as well see -- the perfect person related talk to about.

This fiscal crisis we -- -- hearing about these spending -- And the desire to get specific.

But for you congresswoman -- specifically.

Would be spending cuts come front.

Well I think the Republicans in the house are gonna do everything they can't that hurt this fiscal crisis that we're staring down.

And we have proposed and balanced approach.

One that -- revenues on the table.

That also addresses the real problem in Washington and that's the out of control spending I think people are -- the American people are willing to -- revenues.

At the end of the federal government if they had some confidence back at the lawmakers were spending up properly -- we don't know that there is a lot of waste fraud and he is that we have to address our auto pilot spending programs.

A force first and foremost the Medicare program.

And until the Democrats and it can come flowered and be willing to put some of -- spending cuts on the table it's going to be very difficult to move far away.

No we hear spending cuts for example from Medicare.

It's easy to let our imagination get the best of -- which is why I'm asking for specific saying no when you receive treasurer and even now it as a as a lawmaker in DC you mentioned for example.

Getting ready getting rid of subsidies for example -- KV fifteen more specific -- today about.

Yeah if we're talking about cuts from Medicare what does that really look like it -- -- cities which ones would you get Greta.

Absolutely the driver of our -- as the Medicare program and the house Republicans have a proposal on the table a bipartisan proposal.

That sets every one who is 55 and older -- makes no changes for those people.

-- for those of us that haven't quite hit that 55 mark we've got a few years to digest any changes were suggesting.

That's -- and -- adjustment set for folks that are making a million dollars or more.

At that they forego some of their benefit and an -- adjustments.

Asking the American people to gradually work at a few months at a time.

More -- to two years on their working life.

-- those two changes.

-- their largest changes and they make a difference they make no changes to the current seniors.

And it gets us say in our house budget it got the balanced a budget which we are all looking far.

Visited some specifics press -- to take a hole that we heard a little bit about that.

During the campaign for president and the president.

Now -- has been.

Either complemented -- criticized for what some are calling it campaign style approach to his.

His side in this negotiation he's really.

Gone out in public -- -- public events he's talking about social media to try to get the public's favor for the Democrats position.

What's the Republican response to that how do you attempt to do the same things that the public understand your point of view and you can elicit their -- -- well.

The camp.

-- are over Republicans are worried about solving the problem and that's why we have proposed.

As spending cuts as well less -- something that they've accused SF four years of being unwilling to come to the table on.

-- four months ago the house Ways and Means Committee kicked out to the full body with -- which was been passed out of the house represented.

River representatives that fundamental overhaul of the tax code of framework.

-- fast track authority that allows it to get through congress and next year.

And so we feel like we've done our work at this point we're just waiting for our partner agents.

Negotiation -- -- to meet -- you know yes there's there's no solution at this time a lot of uncertainty for the American people beat these challenges are so profound -- so much bigger than.

-- anyone of us and I just wonder.

And in your opinion is is party part of the problem here if you got these same individuals in the same room and stripped away their party affiliation.

Would we have a solution -- now.

Well I don't know that the parties get it in no way as much as some firmly held beliefs.

No we don't believe the president's proposal to raise taxes.

By five.

At by only making 1%.

-- is going to do it he's proposed five to one.

Tax increases that's not going to work I don't know that that has much to do -- party as much as it has to do what our fundamental beliefs.

On the Republican side that the revenue side of the ledger is not the primary problem it's -- out of control spending.

And until the president of the Democrats come to the table are serious about -- one saying they wouldn't they would hot one program they would change.

At ticket to get to a balanced budget it's very difficult to proceed and so at this point Republicans have.

Have played their hand we've laid out the framework -- revenues on the table without spending -- As well as our mandatory spending programs and we just need a partnership negotiate with at this point.

Congress and it's a -- -- on the program with four to have you back as you go through this process thank you.

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