Former Representative John Spratt, a member of President Obama's National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, talked about the discretionary spending recommendations included in the Commission's proposals, which were submitted at the end of 2010. Among the subjects he discussed were the difference between discretionary spending and entitlements, and Standard and Poor's decision to cut its ratings outlook on the U.S. to negative from stable. He also responded to telephone calls and electronic communications.

This program was the first part of a five-day "Washington Journal" series on the recommendations of National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform. The program identification numbers for the other parts are 299082-5, 299083-6, 299085-6, and 299084-5.