Pelosi Statement on Ongoing Debt Talks

Washington, D.C. -- Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released this statement following a White House meeting with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid this evening:

"I applaud Senator Reid for putting forward an approach to reduce the deficit that protects Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.

"The major features of Senator Reid's proposal have already been supported by Republicans in the past months.

"Our efforts to reduce the deficit are not over and we must work in a bipartisan way to address tax simplifications and reform, and ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.

"We all agree that our nation cannot default, which is critical to our economic growth and to the millions affected: our seniors, veterans and middle class families."