TANNER DISCUSSES ECONOMY, BUDGET,
NATO FOLLOWING PRESIDENT'S SPEECH

WASHINGTON – Congressman John Tanner released the following remarks following the President’s Feb. 24 address to a joint session of Congress.

Economy and Housing

“Almost everyone agrees that working families in Tennessee and across the country are being negatively affected by the deepest economic crisis most of us have ever seen. The President clearly recognizes this is an urgent priority, and he is committed to working with both parties to continue addressing these challenges.

“Economists from every point on the political spectrum have said federal action was necessary to stop the downward deflationary spiral that has cost thousands of jobs in West and Middle Tennessee. Without this action to address our short-term economic needs, our long-term financial outlook would be even bleaker than it is today.”

Budget Reform

“The President’s commitment to medium- and long-term budget reform is refreshing, following several years of irresponsible fiscal policy and dishonest budgeting. He also discussed this commitment at Monday’s bipartisan Fiscal Responsibility Summit, in which I participated.

“My Blue Dog colleagues and I are particularly pleased to hear the President discuss the common-sense ‘pay as you go’ budget rules we have long supported and which every Tennessee family and business uses when balancing its own books. Once our most immediate economic concerns are addressed, we can continue working toward a sustainable future for our children and grandchildren.”

Afghanistan and NATO

“Having just returned from our work at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, I know we are making some progress in repairing strained relationships with some of our longest-standing allies. We need their help in fighting the global war against radical fundamentalism, a NATO-led fight currently based in Afghanistan. It is our hope that the United States’ commitment to sending more troops to Afghanistan will encourage our NATO allies to engage further.”

Tanner, a founding member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrats, represents Tennessee’s 8th Congressional district in West and Middle Tennessee. He serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, where he chairs the Subcommittee on Social Security. Tanner also serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and as President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

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Contact: Randy Ford, 202.225.4714