Speaking in New Hampshire on Thursday, former senators Judd Gregg (R-N.H.) and Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) explained why presidential candidates need to focus on developing credible budget plans — and how voters can encourage them to do so.
“New Hampshire residents have always taken seriously their responsibility as the first primary state, and they should press candidates to find out what they will do in their first budget as president to address the debt,” said Gregg, co-chair of Fix the Debt and a member of The Concord Coalition’s Board of Directors.
Bayh, also a member Concord’s board and a member of Fix the Debt’s Congressional Fiscal Leadership Council, emphasized how debt is squeezing out important federal investments. He added: “No generation of Americans has passed on this level of debt to future generations, and we shouldn’t be the first.”
They spoke at the Warren B. Rudman Center for Justice, Leadership and Public Policy at the University of New Hampshire School of Law. The program was presented by the center, First Budget and the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire. About 110 people attended.
The former senators also held a breakfast meeting Thursday with New Hampshire community and business leaders.
First Budget, a joint effort of Concord and Fix the Debt, is encouraging presidential candidates to present solutions to the growing federal debt.
External links:
Judd Gregg, Evan Bayh Urge N.H. Voters to Make Debt, Deficit a Priority in Primary (Concord Monitor)
Ex-Senators to 2016 Field: Show How You’ll Cut the Debt (The Hill)
‘Debt Matters’ Event Video
First Budget Website
