White House backs conference committee as path to debt deal - The Hill's On The Money

White House backs conference committee as path to debt deal - The Hill's On The Money ~~ Democrats Rep. Marc Pocan (D-Wis.) and Rep. Michelle Grisham (D-N.M.) also challenged Zients on the chained consumer price index proposal and cited their own mothers' financial situations. 

Zients said that the chained CPI proposal is not a cut in benefits but a cut in the growth of benefits. He also said the Obama proposal bumps up payments to seniors older than 75.

“We have had one crisis after the other, we need to put deficit reduction behind us,” he said of the attempt to compromise. 

Budget Committee ranking member Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) said that while he had “concerns” with some aspects of the Obama budget, Republicans should give Obama credit for making his offer.

“The president has clearly indicated a willingness to meet the Republicans more than halfway,” he said. 

Van Hollen said that House Democrats will press Boehner "every day" to appoint conferees for budget negotiations.

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/budget/293315-white-house-backs-budget-conference-as-path-forward-on-debt#ixzz2QBB5FpRH 
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