Pelosi Appoints Three House Democrats to President's National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform

WASHINGTON, DC – March 24, 2010 –  Speaker Nancy Pelosi today announced that she has appointed three House Democrats to President Obama’s National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform. This commission will be responsible for working in a bipartisan way to propose steps to address our long-term debt, bring down the deficit, and ensure that the federal government returns to fiscal discipline.

The Speaker appointed Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt, Democratic Caucus Vice Chair Xavier Becerra, a Member of the Ways and Means and Budget Committees, and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Addressing the challenge of our national debt requires bold leadership and tough choices from members of both parties, Speaker Pelosi said. Our children and grandchildren are counting on us to chart an effective course toward responsible stewardship of the public purse.

Chairman Spratt, Congressman Becerra, and Congresswoman Schakowsky are champions of common sense steps to balancing our budget and keeping our commitment to all Americans. They have the background, records, and expertise to address this crisis, and will add innovative, creative ideas to the commission’s recommendations.

  APPOINTEE BIOS

John Spratt of South Carolina, Chairman, Budget Committee

For more than 25 years, Chairman John Spratt has led the charge for fiscal reform. On the Budget Committee, his leadership has encouraged bipartisan cooperation and responsible action – using the best ideas from both parties to shape the federal budget in the most responsible way possible. To this day, one of his proudest achievements remains the Balanced Budget Agreement of 1997, legislation that put the federal budget in surplus for the first time in three decades.

Xavier Becerra of California, Vice Chair, Democratic Caucus; Member, Ways and Means Committee, Budget Committee

Throughout his career, Vice Chair Xavier Becerra has placed the interests of America’s working families first. As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, he has worked to extend opportunities for every American, ensure the long-term viability of Social Security and Medicare, combat poverty, provide affordable health insurance to all, and advocate fiscal discipline.

Jan Schakowsky of Illinois, Member, Energy and Commerce Committee

As a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Congresswoman Schakowsky worked day in and day out to make health care reform a reality – leading on an issue that benefits the health and economic security of every family, and represents the best action we can take to reduce the federal deficit. She has been a leading voice in the effort to preserve the health and retirement security of our seniors, and to uphold the foundational promise of Social Security and Medicare to generations to come.

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