Ayotte: 'Now is the Time' for Big Fiscal Deal

U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte said Thursday that "now is the time" to get together and do a big fiscal deal that will set the country up for a more prosperous future.

"If we can get that done and we can give you the certainty that you need on the fiscal state of the country, nothing can stop this country. The next century will be an American century," Ayotte (R-NH) told business leaders at a New England Council luncheon at Windham's Castleton Banquet & Conference Center.

Most of Ayotte's talk centered on the need for a large fiscal deal "that deals with the underlying drivers of our national debt," instead of the current talks going on in Washington.

She said Democrats and Republicans are "pretty far apart" in their fiscal vision for the country. She also spoke of sequestration, and the impact it is having on businesses around the country.

"Sequestration is a challenge and not the smart way to do things," Ayotte said.

Instead of sequestration, she said, an across the board approach is needed.

"We're not dealing with the big picture issue," she said. "Now is the time."

Ayotte also touched on several other issues, like immigration, transportation and a medical device tax she opposes.