Statement from the Campaign to Fix the Debt

The following is a statement from Judd Gregg and Ed Rendell , co-chairmen of the Campaign to Fix the Debt:

WASHINGTON, March 14, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "This week, we watched with anticipation as both the Republicans in the House and the Democrats in the Senate unveiled their budget proposals.

"We applaud both parties and both houses for demonstrating a firm commitment to deficit reduction. Only by reducing the deficit and putting our unsustainable national debt on a clear, endurable downward path relative to GDP can we provide the stability needed to help grow jobs and the economy, and ensure that we do not experience a fiscal crisis.

"Although budgets tend to be political documents, each proposal displayed a seriousness of purpose; however, neither passed the test of political viability – certainly not in our current era of divided government. We urge lawmakers to now turn their attention to not only what they might want as their first choice for a budget path, but to working with the other party to ensure something gets passed. We and the rest of the Campaign to Fix the Debt will continue to work with lawmakers as negotiations between competing visions of our federal budget get underway.

"The window of opportunity is now. We implore our elected leaders to forge a compromise that puts the national interest in front of partisan preferences."

SOURCE Campaign to Fix the Debt