SHAHEEN STATEMENT ON FISCAL TASK FORCE LEGISLATION

(Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen released the below statement following defeat of the Conrad/Gregg Bipartisan Task Force for Responsible Fiscal Action Act. Shaheen is an original cosponsor of the legislation, and she and her fellow cosponsors successfully urged President Obama to support the legislation.

"While we work to emerge from the economic recession, it's time to turn our attention to reducing our deficit.  I am disappointed that the Bipartisan Task Force for Responsible Fiscal Action Act failed to pass.  The idea of a bipartisan fiscal task force is a good one that takes politics out of the process of balancing the budget.

"Though today's vote is disappointing, the backing of this legislation by a majority of Senators and President Obama is a good sign of growing commitment to fiscal responsibility in Washington.  I am hopeful that alternatives to this legislation will be able to gain further support and be implemented as soon as possible."