Erskine Bowles and Alan Simpson: The Gang of Six is our best shot

In an op-ed today in the Washington Post, CRFB board members Erskine Bowles and Senator Alan Simpson argue that the Gang of Six -- despite hitting a few speed bumps -- are not only still relevant, but "it offers the last, best hope for a comprehensive bipartisan deficit reduction agreement in this Congress," as policymakers on both sides of the aisle have recognized.

Bowles and Simpson write that the Gang of Six continues to work together, and call for those who support the work of the Gang of Six to rally behind them. They write:

"[W]e simply cannot afford gridlock and delay as each party stubbornly holds out for its ideal solution.

The truth is, there is no perfect plan — we all know that. We also know that the only way this works is through a bipartisan effort where everyone prods their own sacred cows into the cattle chute, and everyone gives up something they like to protect the country they love.

The remaining members of the Gang of Six have said they will go forward with their proposal if there is support for it among their colleagues. Many rank-and-file senators have said they share the nation’s frustration with gridlock and expressed support in concept for a comprehensive plan. This is exactly why a bipartisan group of 64 senators wrote to President Obama urging action on a comprehensive deficit reduction plan, and it is why members of that group must now stand up and do what’s right. The time for action is now."

Click here to read the full op-ed.