[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 11 (Friday, January 19, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E161-E162]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    SUPPORT FOR THE SAFE COMMISSION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FRANK R. WOLF

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 19, 2007

  Mr. WOLF. Madam Speaker, earlier this week I reintroduced legislation 
in the House of Representatives aimed at addressing the looming 
financial crisis facing the Nation, the Securing America's Future 
Economy (SAFE) Commission Act. The bill would establish a national 
bipartisan commission that will put everything--entitlement spending as 
well as all other federal programs and our Nation's tax policies--on 
the table and require Congress to vote up or down on its 
recommendations in their entirety, similar to the process set in 1988 
to close military bases. Mandating congressional action on the panel's 
recommendations is what differentiates this commission from previous 
ones.
  Support for the bill is coming from both sides of the aisle. I submit 
for the Record letters from several former Members.
  This legislation will be good for the future of America.


                                         The Blackstone Group,

                                      New York, NY, June 28, 2006.
     Hon. Frank Wolf,
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Wolf: Thank you for sending me a summary of your 
     bill creating a bipartisan commission on long-term fiscal 
     policy and for the excellent statement you made in 
     introducing the bill. I read both with great interest and I 
     wholeheartedly approve of what

[[Page E162]]

     you are trying to do. I understand that George Voinovich has 
     introduced a similar bill in the Senate.
       While I would like to think that the economic and moral 
     case for serious reform is compelling enough to spur action 
     without resort to another commission, I fear that the reality 
     is otherwise. Given the harsh partisan environment you note 
     in your letter, I have come to believe that a new commission 
     could serve a very useful trust-building purpose--so long as 
     it is truly bipartisan and all policy options are on the 
     table.
       You clearly agree with these principles, which is one 
     reason I think your bill could help break the political 
     gridlock. It is an added bonus, in my view, that your bill 
     would require the commission to hold public hearings around 
     the country and compel congressional consideration of the 
     commission's recommendations. As one who has sat on many 
     commissions, including the Kerrey-Danforth entitlement and 
     tax reform commission more than 10 years ago, I think all of 
     these special attributes bode well for the success of a 
     commission formed pursuant to your bill.
       As you may know, I serve as President of The Concord 
     Coalition. Former Senators Warren Rudman (who I know you have 
     spoken to about this) and Bob Kerrey are co-chairs of The 
     Concord Coalition. We have been urging bipartisan action to 
     bring about a more sustainable and generationally equitable 
     fiscal policy for many years. Our executive director, Bob 
     Bixby, has sent you a letter with our approval on behalf of 
     The Concord Coalition expressing our appreciation and 
     commending you for your leadership in drawing attention to 
     one of the nation's most daunting challenges. To that, let me 
     add my personal thanks and encouragement.
           Sincerely,
     Peter G. Peterson.
                                  ____

                                                     Manatt Jones,


                                            Global Strategies,

                                    Washington, DC, June 26, 2006.
     Hon. Frank R. Wolf,
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Wolf: Thank you for your letter and for 
     sending me a copy of your legislation, H.R. 5552. I can't 
     speak highly enough in commending you for leading this much 
     needed effort and for the comprehensiveness of your proposal.
       As a former House Budget Committee Chairman who 
     subsequently headed the American Stock Exchange among other 
     business activities since leaving the Congress, I have been 
     appalled and discouraged by the recklessness and disregard of 
     our government's fiscal policy. These unconsciousable 
     deficits and mounting federal debt load financed primarily by 
     foreigners are an economic time bomb waiting to explode. If I 
     were managing a private company this irresponsibly, the 
     shareholders should demand my resignation.
       We hear much talk about our national security and energy 
     security. But to put our economic security so much in the 
     hands of foreign interests is gambling at its worst.
       In addition to the economic dangers, this is also a moral 
     issue in that our generation is saddling our children and 
     grandchildren with the responsibility for paying off our 
     profligacy. That can only reduce the standard of living of 
     future generations. How can we justify such immorality?
       I am so proud that you are stepping forward to try to pass 
     legislation with teeth to force both the Congress and the 
     Executive Branch to make hard choices to get our fiscal house 
     on a path to responsibility. I hope that you will make this a 
     bipartisan effort. I will be pleased to support you in every 
     way I can and to urge my fellow Democrats to join you in this 
     effort.
         Sincerely yours,
     James R. Jones.
                                  ____



                                          The Urban Institute,

                                    Washington, DC, June 22, 2006.
     Representative Frank Wolf,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Representative Wolf: In response to your letter of 
     June 16, I strongly support your bill to establish a national 
     bipartisan commission on entitlement spending and tax policy. 
     Although many are cynical about the prospects for the success 
     of any commission, I think that you are right that the 
     current political climate is not conducive to passing 
     constructive legislation without some prodding from the 
     outside.
       I also believe that the American public is not ready to 
     accept the sacrifices necessary to avoid a crisis, because 
     the dire nature of the situation has not been well 
     communicated by policy makers. Therefore, I particularly 
     commend your idea of holding town meetings across the country 
     and I would hope that the commission has a large budget for 
     this purpose, because I believe that we need lots of 
     meetings. Ideally, the commission would first produce a white 
     paper that could be discussed at the meetings. It would 
     outline the problem in the most objective way possible and 
     describe the major options for solving it.
       It is interesting to note that Canada had such meetings 
     prior to a significant reform of their social security system 
     and Canadian officials will tell you that they were extremely 
     helpful in finding a solution. Similarly, Britain is in the 
     midst of reforming their public pension system and they used 
     large focus groups to test their options. I would prefer a 
     town meeting to a focus group format, but however one 
     proceeds, the involvement of the public is absolutely 
     crucial.
       I wish you success in getting your idea enacted and would 
     be willing to help in any way that I can.
           Yours sincerely,
     Rudolph G. Penner.
                                  ____

                                      Woodrow Wilson International


                                          Center for Scholars,

                                     Washington, DC, July 7, 2006.
     Hon. Frank R. Wolf,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Frank: Thank you for sending along your excellent 
     proposal to establish a national bipartisan commission on 
     America's looming fiscal crisis. I agree that we must hastily 
     address the very grave financial challenges before our 
     Nation. You have laid out a thoughtful and effective way 
     forward. In particular, it is important to put everything on 
     the table--entitlement spending, federal programs, and tax 
     policy. Mandating congressional action would also ensure that 
     a prospective commission does not issue a report that gathers 
     dust on a shelf.
       On another note, the Iraq Study Group continues to make 
     excellent progress, and I once again thank you for your 
     leadership and support of our efforts.
       With best wishes,
           Sincerely,
     Lee H. Hamilton.
                                  ____



                                    The Brookings Institution,

                                    Washington, DC, July 14, 2006.
     Hon. Frank R. Wolf,
     House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Frank: I am writing to express my hope your bill, H.R. 
     5552, Securing America's Future Economy (SAFE) Act, will be 
     swiftly enacted. You and I have discussed this bill and the 
     impending fiscal crises it is designed to avoid.
       I am not able to detail in a single page all the fiscal 
     difficulties we face, nor to list all the arguments in favor 
     of H.R. 5552, but I believe it offers the Congress an 
     opportunity for a comprehensive fiscal solution, so the 
     country will not have to face an ongoing series of crises, 
     each demanding a patchwork, probably temporary, and certainly 
     painful, response.
       While the BRAC-type Commission necessarily forces 
     Legislation action, H.R. 5552 does provide unusual, extra 
     Legislative discretion by giving the Congress opportunities 
     to enact alternatives not suggested by the Commission.
       H.R. 5552 has my enthusiastic endorsement. I hope the House 
     passes it first.
           Sincerely,
     Bill Frenzel.

                          ____________________