Durbin: Drastic measures are called for to reduce national debt

Illinois Senator Dick Durbin says it's time to use drastic measures to reduce the national debt.

He voted in favor of the US deficit commission plan.

It lowers tax rates, increases retirement age and reduces the federal work force.

"This debt that we have in America is unsustainable. Every dollar we spend in Washington we borrow 40 cents and that means whether you're buying missles in the Pentagon or food stamps in Department of Health and Human Services, we're borrowing that money from China," said Durbin.

The bi-partisan fiscal commission voted 11 to 7 in favor of the plan Friday morning.

The report on curbing the federal deficit and spending will now be sent to the Senate.