U.S. Senate candidate Mark Neumann says massive spending are needed to bring down the federal debt. With the federal budget deficit now in excess of sixteen trillion dollars, the Republican says he has a plan to rein it in. “Everybody tries to say we’ve got to cut this program,” says Neumann. “The reality is we have to cut hundreds of programs. What we’ve laid out is a 150 specific line item entries for reduction. And we’ve laid out sources to provide more than double what we actually need to get this job done.”
Neumann’s plan includes repealing the federal health care law, continuing the Bush era tax cuts, and finding billions in tax cut “offsets” from subsidies and other spending cuts. Neumann says his job is to convince voters of the urgency of the situation. “I think we’re very close to there right now. And I think the fact that we had our debt downgraded, and we see . . . what’s going on in Europe in general, I think is helping the American people see just how serious our problems are here.” Neumann’s plan does not include any cuts in spending on the military, as he says defense is the most important role for the federal government.
Neumann, a former congressman representing Wisconsin’s 1st District, faces former Governor Tommy Thompson and Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald to see who will be the GOP nominee seeking the Senate seat held by Democrat Herb Kohl, who’s not seeking reelection. Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin is the only announced Democratic candidate.
AUDIO: Bob Hague reports (1:05)