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Jack Lew nomination an opportunity for Republicans?

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    Spending issues to be hotly debated

  • Duration 4:12
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This could be a battle a battle over the president's nomination of Jack -- for Treasury Secretary.

Republican senator Jeff Sessions has become the first senator that vows to vote no on that nomination.

White House spokesman Jay Carney -- this comment just yesterday they got some attention about -- out of control debt.

Most importantly because deficit reduction is not.

A goal or illegal unto itself that if this is all about making our economy stronger and making it.

More productive and allowing it to created more jobs and that is the most important thing when it comes to economic policy as far as the president's concern.

Okay Stephen Hayes senior.

The weekly standard Fox's contributor interest in -- they get a minimum.

Specifically on senator session's strong words little must never be Treasury Secretary do recalls outrageous testimony.

Testimony that -- he's considers faults.

That -- gave to the Senate Budget Committee two years ago there's a baseline of information that we need to share first a ball.

What is that about the testimony.

Well I think that is the the thing that has senator sessions so upset is that Jack who went before his committee.

And -- said that the president but it was going to balance and that the plane back to me the easy math suggests that it won't balance and everybody knows that it won't bounce and I think that's one of several things that has senator sessions but not just senator sessions upset and looking to use these confirmation hearings.

As a way to shine a light on the administration's handling of spending more broadly.

To be clear on your view.

You think it's indisputable that sessions was right.

And Jacqueline was wrong and Jack -- misled congress that testimony explain.

Yeah I don't think there's any doubt about it look you can't make the argument you -- make that claim.

That the administration has that that their budgets were in balance I mean it's it's preposterous both in the short term.

In a long term buy easy -- and all you have to do -- get a calculator it's clear that.

The administration's budgets haven't -- and if you look at the overall amount of debt that has been added since January 20 of 2009 you're talking about a number that's now approaching.

Six trillion dollars or almost 20000.

Dollars.

Per citizen in the United States this hasn't been -- -- administration that's been serious about spending.

Or even taken seriously this question of debt and deficits -- you just -- from Jay Carney.

Sosa has -- are right when you started governor of Isaiah that's not the biggest -- let's get economy going again what if you could do it in tandem.

What are we would be flying through the roof yet again but back to your point about.

You know if Jack glue is confirmed as Treasury Secretary he will be Treasury Secretary at a time we debate yet again all these big fiscal issues.

And you believe there's an opportunity for Republicans on this how.

Sure if you look at what we're likely to be debating even before he's -- I mean look at the confirmation hearings which are likely to be.

At some point in the next four to six weeks what are we going to be talking about we're going to be talking about this new fiscal cliff we're going to be talking about the continuing resolution to fund government.

We're going to be talking about lifting the debt -- a number of issues that.

That the administration -- deal with immediately now on.

Questions of spending in the size and scope of government that will coincide with.

These confirmation hearings there's no question in my mind that Republicans are gonna focus.

Heavily on those issues with Jack who has experience at the Office of Management and Budget.

Before he became chief of staff to the president and now wants to be elevated to Treasury Secretary that's going to be the focus and I think they're going to try to frame him.

As really the face of the administration's handling of debt.

And deficits over is over it is a simple question as to what would you cut.

Where you're spending -- -- put them on the table how would you balance the budget how would you give control of an out of control that.

Right exactly and I think -- in particular entitlement spending we haven't had a proposal from the president when Timothy Geithner.

Well who would be Jack lose.

Predecessor if he's in fact confirmed was asked.

What would you do on entitlements he looked at Paul Ryan.

And said it I don't know what we would do but we don't like your plan.

Well that's not going to be good enough answer -- -- Lou -- -- we'll get sessions on the air starting next week we'll see who else is on his side.

Steven Hayes thank you.

And Washington with us today Martha what's next.

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