FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 18, 2006

CONTACT: Brendan Daly/Jennifer Crider 202-226-7616

Pelosi: Hastert Shows True Republican Colors – Out of Touch and Fiscally Irresponsible

Washington, D.C. – House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today in response to statements by Speaker Hastert on the Republican budget:

“On the House floor early this morning, Speaker Hastert demonstrated how out of touch Republicans are with everyday Americans when he made the preposterous claim that working families pay no taxes. What he should have said is that working familes will receive no tax cuts under the Republican-tax-cuts-for-millionaires-bill.

“Now the Speaker says fiscal responsibility is not an option for this Congress.  Thanks to the Republican budget, which has red ink as far as the eye can see and heaps mountains of debt on future generations, it's not a possibility either.

“Democrats pledge to restore responsible budgeting, and follow the strict rules of pay-as-you go.  Fiscal responsibility will be the only option when we control the Congress.”

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Statement by Speaker Hastert on the House floor: “Well, folks, if you earn $40,000 a year and have a family of two, you don't pay any taxes.  So you probably, if you don't pay any taxes, you are not going to get a big tax cut.”

Speaker Hastert: “Fiscal Responsibility is not an Option in This House of Representatives”

Applauds House Passage of Budget Resolution

May 18, 2006

(Washington, D.C.) House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-IL) made the following statement today after the House passed H.Con.Res. 376, the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for FY 2007. The bill passed 218-210.

“Make no mistake about it: Fiscal responsibility is not an option in this House of Representatives. It’s a mandate from our voters who have every right to know that lawmakers are being responsible with taxpayer dollars. With today’s vote, House Republicans live up to our mandate with a budget resolution that maintains our national priorities of homeland and national security, while still using fiscal restraint.

“ Democrats are united in presenting a New Direction for America, one that will make our nation as strong as its people, one that brings opportunity, security, and prosperity to all Americans. ”

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi