WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) today was among a bipartisan group of 36 senators — more than one-third the members of the Senate — who have agreed to support and encourage the efforts of the congressional “super committee” to aggressively pursue responsible deficit reduction.

“The super committee has real and difficult work ahead, and we felt it was important that they knew — and the American people knew — that we have their backs,” Senator Coons said. “It is going to take members of both parties working together long after the super committee completes its work to stabilize our nation’s debt. The principles to which more than one-third of the members of the Senate agreed today should be considered the basis for a broad deficit reduction package. I will continue to aggressively support responsible deficit reduction efforts that require both parties to share in the sacrifice without shifting the burden to those most in need of the federal government’s help.”

The group, which is comprised of 17 Democrats, 18 Republicans and one Independent, first came together in support of the “gang of six” framework in July and this week agreed to the following statement of principles:

As a bipartisan group of Senators, we will encourage and support the Super Committee in fulfilling its mission.  We are here to support a deficit reduction package consistent with the following principles that should:

  • Include enough deficit reduction to stabilize the debt as a share of the economy, and put the debt on a downward path, and provide fiscal certainty.  We believe a reasonable target is at least $4 trillion, including previously enacted deficit measures.  This will send the right message to the financial markets.   
  • Use the established, bipartisan debt and deficit reduction frameworks as a starting point for discussions.
  • Focus on the major parts of the budget and include long-term entitlement reforms and pro-growth tax reform. 
  • Be structured to grow the economy in the short, medium and long-term. 
  • Work to include the American public and the business community in a broader discussion about the breadth of the issues, challenges and opportunities facing us. 

The 36 participants include the following members of the U.S. Senate:

Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN)

Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH)

Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK)

Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO)

Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC)

Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE)

Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA)

Sen. Dan Coats (R-IN)

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK)

Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS)

Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND)

Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE)

Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN)

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX)

Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID)

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC)

Sen. Kay Hagan (D-NC)

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX)

Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA)

Sen. Mike Johanns (R-NE)

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI)

Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL)

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)

Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA)

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT)

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO)

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV)

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)

Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL)

Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR)

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)

Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT)

Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO)

Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA)

Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS)

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR)

###