Maya MacGuineas, Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, President and New America Foundation, Fiscal Policy Program Director
Topic: Where congressional efforts toward deficit reduction go from here; and the hazards faced by a lack of action, including the risks involved with the fiscal cliff that could occur in 2013. Last week, the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget released a proposal -- The Campaign to Fix the Debt – which aims to build support for a debt reduction plan to be passed by Congress and signed by the President by July 4, 2013.
Marion Blakey, Aerospace Industries Association, President & CEO
Topic: Discuss how key defense industry companies could be affected if planned Defense Department cuts occur as planned under the Budget Control Act. The AIA represents the nation's leading manufacturers and suppliers of civil, military, and business aircraft as well as other aircraft and defense related systems.
Tom Tidwell, U.S. Forest Service Chief
Topic: Discuss the federal response to large wildfires that occur in the United States. The U.S. Forestry Service (along with other agencies) coordinates how manpower and equipment is used in fire suppression. Guest will discuss the money that is spent in response to wildfires, how coordination among the agencies is achieved and how the Forest Service manages federal land as a means to keep wildfires from growing too large.