VOA标准英语2011--Republicans Soften No-Tax Pledge to Trim US Deficit

Republicans Soften¹ No-Tax Pledge to Trim US Deficit²

In the U.S. Congress, Republican leaders say they would be willing to break a no-tax pledge as part of a comprehensive deal to reduce America’s massive federal deficit. Signs of possible compromise continue to emerge on Capitol Hill, where a deficit reduction super committee is working to meet a November 23 deadline to shave at least $1.2 trillion from the deficit over 10 years.

In the politically-divided Congress, widespread pessimism³ on prospects⁴ for a deficit-reduction deal appear to be giving way to steely determination. Senator Lamar Alexander:

“Failure is not an option," said Alexander.

Moments earlier, a cautious assessment⁵ from the Senate’s top Democrat⁶, Harry⁷ Reid.

“My members still think they can get something done," said Reid.

After months of insisting on spending cuts alone to balance America’s books, Republicans say they have submitted a proposal to the super committee that would include new tax revenue, combined with deep cuts to domestic programs championed by Democrats⁸.

President Barack Obama long ago signaled his willingness to restructure costly⁹ programs that provide income and health care to retirees. The basic ingredients for a deal are falling into place, according to Senator Alexander.

“Republicans have put revenue on the table," he said. "Democrats have put entitlements on the table. We need a result.”

But the ratio of spending cuts to tax hikes remains¹⁰ a stumbling block. Democrats favor an even mix. Republicans want to rely more on spending restraint. Meanwhile, time for the super committee to act is growing short.

“Congress and government generally do not do things until the last minute," he said. "The last minute is fast approaching.”

Americans of every age are registering their hopes and concerns about the task before Congress.

“Obviously my generation, the future for it looks pretty bleak¹¹ right now due to the fact that both parties can’t seem to reach a commitment and work with each others, " said student Trevor Schram. "It’s really disappointing to stand by and watch, when there’s really nothing we can do about it, knowing that their decisions are going to affect my future.”

“What can the lawmakers do? Well they can do what is good for the country, "said federal worker Frank Kiley. "We don’t want to have here in the United States what is happening over in Europe.”

That message appears to be resonating with lawmakers. The Senate’s top Republican, Mitch McConnell:

“We need an outcome," said McConnell. "The American people need an outcome, they expect an outcome, the deserve an outcome, and I expect to get one.”

Failure by the bipartisan super committee to act by November 23 would trigger automatic spending cuts to domestic programs and national defense¹².

1 soften   

v.(使)变柔软；(使)变柔和

参考例句：

• Plastics will soften when exposed to heat.塑料适当加热就可以软化。
• This special cream will help to soften up our skin.这种特殊的护肤霜有助于使皮肤变得柔软。

2 deficit   

n.亏空，亏损；赤字，逆差

参考例句：

• The directors have reported a deficit of 2.5 million dollars.董事们报告赤字为250万美元。
• We have a great deficit this year.我们今年有很大亏损。

3 pessimism   

n.悲观者，悲观主义者，厌世者

参考例句：

• He displayed his usual pessimism.他流露出惯有的悲观。
• There is the note of pessimism in his writings.他的著作带有悲观色彩。

4 prospects   

n.希望，前途(恒为复数)

参考例句：

• There is a mood of pessimism in the company about future job prospects. 公司中有一种对工作前景悲观的情绪。
• They are less sanguine about the company's long-term prospects. 他们对公司的远景不那么乐观。

5 assessment   

n.评价；评估；对财产的估价，被估定的金额

参考例句：

• This is a very perceptive assessment of the situation.这是一个对该情况的极富洞察力的评价。
• What is your assessment of the situation?你对时局的看法如何？

6 democrat   

n.民主主义者，民主人士；民主党党员

参考例句：

• The Democrat and the Public criticized each other.民主党人和共和党人互相攻击。
• About two years later,he was defeated by Democrat Jimmy Carter.大约两年后，他被民主党人杰米卡特击败。

7 harry   

vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼

参考例句：

• Today,people feel more hurried and harried.今天，人们感到更加忙碌和苦恼。
• Obama harried business by Healthcare Reform plan.奥巴马用医改掠夺了商界。

8 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》

9 costly   

adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的

参考例句：

• It must be very costly to keep up a house like this.维修这么一幢房子一定很昂贵。
• This dictionary is very useful,only it is a bit costly.这本词典很有用，左不过贵了些。

10 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

11 bleak   

adj.(天气)阴冷的；凄凉的；暗淡的

参考例句：

• They showed me into a bleak waiting room.他们引我来到一间阴冷的会客室。
• The company's prospects look pretty bleak.这家公司的前景异常暗淡。

12 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。