Politics & Government

Congressman Hunter Calls Obama Debt Speech 'Short on Substance'

Despite disappointment in the president, East County representative still has reservations about the current Republican plan.

President Barack Obama's debt speech Monday night may have resonated for some Americans, but for Rep. Duncan Hunter, who represents California's 52nd district, the commander in chief was "short on substance."

As Americans across the country watched Obama deliver an unprecedented debt speech followed by House Speaker John Boehner's response, Hunter said he still has "reservations" about the Republican's plan on the table that's up for a vote Wednesday.

"Congressman Hunter believes we need a solution, not a deal," said Hunter's policy and communications director Joe Kasper. "[He] has reservations with the plan that’s now on the table, but he’ll take a closer look at the final product, when it’s available, and make a decision based on what it actually looks like."

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Both speeches—which came just a week before the Aug. 2 deadline for a passed budget before the nation defaults—presented rival plans to decrease the deficit and to raise the nation’s $14.3 trillion debt ceiling. Much of the debate focuses on how much of the debt to cut and through what measures.

But Hunter, a Republican, said the "debate is far bigger than raising the debt ceiling."

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"It’s about restoring sanity to the budget and ensuring we are no longer borrowing 40 cents on every dollar," he said.

As of Tuesday morning, Boehner said he plans for the House to pass his version of the plan tomorrow while Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said an agreed plan has not been reached. Though the president said he's confident a deal would be reached before the deadline, he acknowledged he would veto the Republican's plan as it stands now.

Check out both speeches on CBSNewsOnline's YouTube Page.


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