WASHINGTON, D.C. — Neil Bradley, Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, issued the following statement regarding debt ceiling negotiations.
“The full faith and credit of the United States government should never be placed at risk, which is why it is essential that Congress and the Administration quickly reach a bipartisan agreement to raise the debt ceiling. While there are plenty of areas where the two parties disagree, two areas that are ripe for inclusion are permitting reform and an agreement on discretionary spending caps, both of which can improve the federal government’s fiscal outlook.
“Leaders in both parties have made clear that our broken permitting process must be fixed and based on the proposals introduced in Congress, it is clear that a bipartisan agreement is possible. Over the long run, permitting reform has the potential to reduce the costs of projects, allowing more to be completed, and facilitate investment in infrastructure by providing greater predictability, transparency, and efficiency.
“Both Republicans and Democrats have acknowledged that they will have to reach an agreement on top-line discretionary spending levels in order to complete the appropriations process and fund the government. Capping spending below the current projected baselines will reduce future deficits while providing greater certainty to the appropriations process.
“We urge the President and the Congressional Leaders of both parties to quickly resolve the current debt limit impasse and there are no two better places to start than permitting reform and an agreement on spending caps.”
