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Lawmakers pass highway bill before holiday break

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    Delaware Senator Chris Coons explains

  • Duration 4:04
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Signed sealed a massive transportation bill that includes an extension of those student loan rates delivered.

A lot of Republicans wondering why the rush to span but no rush to cut.

We've got to do something to reform the tax code to get economic growth going again.

And in trying to avoid this fiscal cliff that we're facing at the end of the year -- Texas truly -- -- Texas.

No attempt to try to fix this system put -- -- on the path to prosperity we've got to avoid the fiscal cliff and -- -- -- leadership is driving this business the United States of America Schwartz of fiscal cliff.

Delaware senator Chris -- says we are not headed toward fiscal cliff may be a fiscal slope.

The senator joins us on the phone right now on behalf -- -- -- senator.

What do you make of the argument.

That there was a great -- get this Bild on May -- all right reasons but not nearly zeal that's ever cut spending.

Well -- directorate you don't there wasn't a great rush to get this bill done actually came out of the senate committee last November.

And it has been grinding along between the senate the house for several months I am glad.

That the house and -- were able to come to an agreement and -- the transportation bill because I think we do need to continue to invest in improving our roads and highways.

That the contribution to our economy that -- help not just put people to work in -- short term but also make it more competitive.

But I agree -- that there are many of us Republicans and Democrats in the senate and the house.

They think we all but have to come up but the -- balanced plan to reduce spending.

We do have significant changes.

Intact trade in spending.

Automatically kicking in in January this so called fiscal cliff Ryan and whether it be effective the -- -- lots of important domestic programs.

-- the expected changes -- straight.

We need to be working over this summer into the ball and a balanced and responsible way to avoid this sudden jolt to our economy that will com.

If we don't change our current -- Don't know yet and I review and your right to say and I did I don't existed a democratic issue or Republican is who I do think though when.

-- comes as some people are great at making speeches about we gotta get the spinning out of control.

But the only -- -- the to comment on a weekend or to -- to work overtime it is it's for a big old spending bill that might be perfectly.

Within reason and vital as you say but but I think you could make a larger grander statement.

And that is applies to both parties and he came in work late.

On a commensurate cut in spending for that new spending.

But I don't see the -- and -- -- to do that and I -- worry about that because I know you -- -- the slope and I do call of the cliff because with all these tax rates it's buying -- -- year.

That your your face and a chasm.

Well yeah I did think that the -- certainty that lots of businesses and families are facing in terms of what our fiscal policy will be.

Starting in January.

Is that big it's a big threat to ongoing recovery in our economy it's hard for government agencies it's hard for businesses it's hard for families to plan.

When they don't yet know.

What our total financial -- gonna look like.

I will mention that we get also just managed to pass.

In this senate abroad balanced bipartisan farm bill that actually -- 43 billion dollars in spending over the next ten years.

In -- did across a wide range of programs from.

A longstanding you have federal and support programs.

Two programs that are beloved by many in my party so bout that Bennett has been working in ways that reduce spending.

As well as making important best spent some time but we're not making it and progress quickly and to deal with the record deficits and debt and have no problem with our national balance sheet is we have all time.

Low revenue and high spending -- -- -- war.

My -- and I think we had a good run out of it's not a courtroom but senate I wish I had more time but I do appreciate your taking the time and you've been busy and we do appreciate it senator Chris Koontz.

Thank you meanwhile STR.

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