FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 14, 2005

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

Pelosi and Hoyer to Republican Leaders: Honor the Wishes of the Majority, Do Not Cut Medicaid

Washington, D.C.-- House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer released the following statement today on a letter sent by 44 House Republicans to Budget Committee Chairman Jim Nussle to “strongly urge [him] to remove the reductions and reconciliation instructions targeted at Medicaid”:

“Now that 44 Republicans have written Chairman Nussle to oppose any cuts to Medicaid, it is crystal clear that a majority of both House and Senate Members support a budget resolution that does not require such cuts.  We know that our Democratic colleagues are solidly against Medicaid cuts.

“The question now is whether the Republican leadership and the Republican Chairmen of the Budget Committees will honor the wishes of the majorities in both Houses by reporting a conference report on the budget resolution with no cuts to Medicaid.

“We also insist that House Democrats be allowed to participate in the conference negotiations on the budget.  The House and Senate each passed a budget resolution last month, and the Senate appointed conferees on April 4.  By law, a conference agreement on the budget should be adopted by April 15.  There is no reason that the House should not appoint conferees unless the House Republican leadership is trying to avoid a motion to instruct those conferees in hopes of again excluding Democrats from participating in the negotiations.”

“ 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