Mick Mulvaney says tax plan makes debt, deficit a priority

Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney said Tuesday that the debt and deficit are a priority in the tax plan.

“That’s why the tax policies are important right now. We need that growth to help reduce the size of the deficit long term,” Mr. Mulvaney said on Fox Business.

The tax plan had been widely criticized for adding to the deficit by reducing tax revenue. Democrats say Republicans, who have long been against anything that adds to the growing debt and deficit, are hypocritical to put forward such a bill.

But both Republican leaders and the White House argue the tax plan will increase economic growth, which will help compensate for the tax cuts. 

Mr. Mulvaney disagreed that the bill will cause more problems, saying the economic growth will help the issue a great deal.

“We do need spending restraint. We do need spending reduction, if we can get it,” he said. “This tax policy is a discussion about the debt and the deficit.”