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Washington, D.C. - Ways and Means Ranking Member Charles B. Rangel issued the following statement in response to President Bush’s State of the Union address last night:
“President Bush came to the Capitol last night trying to bolster the sagging confidence of a nation grown weary from the ongoing war in Iraq, rising health care costs and economic uncertainty. He gave a great speech, but it had nothing to do with reality.
“The President stated his Administration has a plan for victory in Iraq. But as military deaths in Iraq rise, military resources are stretched to breaking point, and the costs of the war increase as our country fails to meet the needs of the most vulnerable it is not so clear to me that there is a plan.
“The President also failed to offer a vision on health care. America faces a growing health care crisis, and he is simply repackaging old ideas. This is the same Administration that gave us the chaotic Medicare prescription drug program and pushed for privatization of Social Security. Now they’re fixing their sights on our health insurance. President Bush’s speech last night should serve as a warning to more than 160 million Americans who are currently insured through their jobs. If the President pursues his expansion of Health Savings Accounts and high-deductible health plans, it will mean the end of job-based coverage, forcing millions of families to fend for themselves in the open market and pay more for insurance that may not cover their needs.
“I don’t see how the President could ignore the 800 pound gorilla in the room -- the failing Medicare prescription drug plan. I guarantee you that all members of Congress have heard from seniors about how confusing the plan is, and how difficult it is to get the medicine they need. This law was written by and for special interests, and now we’re left to clean up the mess. This President tried to do the same thing by privatizing Social Security, and the American public rejected his plan. If this Administration and its supporters in Congress had shown themselves to be willing partners in the past, his offer of a commission to examine entitlements would be a welcomed first step towards bipartisanship. But, bipartisanship is more than a dog-and-pony show. Bipartisanship starts with open negotiations and transparency at all levels, and on all bills before Congress. Sadly, this hasn’t been the case and continues not to be.
“In fact, as early as this afternoon the House is expected to vote along party-lines on the Republican spending cut measure to slash billions in aid for child support, Medicaid and student loan funding. The President’s rhetoric has barely finished echoing through the chamber, and the GOP leadership in Congress is already back to business as usual.
“As for the President’s comments on the state of our nation’s economic health, his rhetoric doesn’t match the harsh reality. In stating that our economy is ‘healthy, vigorous and growing’, the President ignores the fact that under his Administration, a projected $5.6 trillion surplus has become a $2.7 trillion deficit, our nation's debt continues to soar and exceed the statutory debt limit, job growth is at its slowest pace in over 70 years, wages are failing to keep up with inflation, and the ranks of the poor continue to grow. If we’re basing policy in reality, President Bush’s call for making permanent billions in tax breaks for the wealthy doesn’t make sense at a time when our nation struggles with a skyrocketing deficit and the Republican-led Congress slashes billions in aid to the most vulnerable among us.
“I agree with President Bush that our nation’s ability to compete in the global economy is an important priority. However, the very tax breaks for the wealthy that President Bush wants to make permanent jeopardize this objective. We cannot continue to borrow from countries such as China to fund tax breaks which go to those who don’t need them – oil and gas companies making record profits and the very richest of households. The Bush Administration is addicted to debt-financed tax breaks. We’re throwing money down the drain that we, and more importantly our grandchildren, will have to pay back to the very countries with which we are trying to remain competitive.
“America needs leadership with a vision to bring this country together, to close the growing gap between rich and poor, to heal the wounds of a nation at war – to show us the promise of a brighter day.”
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