"Two weeks ago, on the eve of Thanksgiving, the Republican majority in the House chopped student loans, school lunches, foster care, long term care, and Medicaid for struggling families. The reductions were made to clear the way for today’s trickle-down tax cuts for the wealthiest among us, or those who earn over $300,000 a year.

"It’s no coincidence that the savings they will get by cutting student loan assistance matches the cost of providing a 60 percent tax cut on dividends for wealthy investors. They’re making it harder for students to get an education and realize the American dream, just to make the rich a little richer.

"We do need to restore fiscal discipline in Washington. But there are better ways to balance the budget without targeting struggling families. Cut corporate farm subsidies, cancel the fanciful and defective ‘Star Wars’ system and the Cold War era F-22 fighter jet, cancel the manned mission to the moon and Mars, cut subsidies in the new Medicare prescription drug program and the energy bill, and reduce the number of consultants paid by the federal government."