The fiscal cliff deal: Associations react
Associations at best were lukewarm on the fiscal cliff deal that was forged in the Senate, passed late at night by the House and signed into law by President Obama from Hawaii by autopen. Like the rest of the nation, associations are urging the administration and Congress to address the larger fiscal issues that face the country.
U.S. Chamber CEO Tom Donohue, a past TRENDS Association Executive of the Year: “The last minute fiscal cliff deal prevents some of the massive tax increases on the middle class that would have occurred. However, the Congressional Budget Office has warned that the tax hikes that will take place will mean slower growth, fewer jobs, and less prosperity for all Americans. And, when it comes to cutting spending and controlling the national debt, this deal does not even begin to address the serious fiscal challenges we face."
National Association of Manufacturers CEO Jay Timmons: “Our nation may have averted the fiscal cliff, but there is still much work to be done to address the country’s true fiscal problems. While the legislation passed by Congress contains some positive tax provisions for manufacturers, entitlement and wasteful government spending are not touched. Until these issues are dealt with, our nation will continue to have the same fiscal challenges."
"Now we can continue to provide America with more clean, affordable, homegrown energy, and keep growing a new manufacturing sector that's now making nearly 70 percent of our wind turbines in the USA." - American Wind Energy Association interim CEO Rob Gramlich
National League of Cities president Marie Lopez Rogers, mayor of Avondale, Ariz.: “I know I speak for the residents of my town and for so many others when I say that watching the debate over the last several weeks was frustrating and appalling, and we hope Washington will resolve to do better in the new year. While today’s agreement protects middle income families from tax increases and preserves benefits for two million unemployed Americans, which we fully support, we are disappointed that the automatic spending cuts to important federal programs that our cities and families rely upon continue to be an option in resolving the nation’s fiscal challenges."
Federation of American Hospitals CEO Chip Kahn: “It is not in the best interest of patients or those who care for them to rob hospital Peter to pay for fiscal cliff Paul.”
American Medical Association Jeremy Lazarus, MD: “Congress’ work is not complete; it has simply delayed this massive, unsustainable cut for one year. Over the next months, it must act to eliminate this ongoing problem once and for all.”
Chad Moutray, chief economist for the National Association of Manufacturers: "We are in a better place than we were a couple of days ago [but] we really haven't dealt with the debt ceiling or tax reform or entitlement spending."
