Below is Schakowsky’s statement.

“This Republican budget is a disgrace.  It is a blueprint for disaster. To pay for President Bush’s atrocious tax cut for the rich, the Republican budget ignores the needs and priorities of the American people who have sent us to Washington to fight for their interests. 

“This Republican budget ignores people like 73 year old Olga Kipnis from my district. With the help of the federal government, Olga lives in an apartment in a safe and quiet neighborhood.  Soon, she may lose her apartment and be forced to move out of the neighborhood.  That’s because landlords in Chicago and across the country are refusing to renew housing contracts with the federal government and seniors like Olga are paying the price. Does this budget address our national affordable housing crisis?  Hardly.  This Republican budget resolution would guarantee millionaires a downpayment for a summer home and seniors, like Olga, their eviction notice.

“And because of that tax cut, our national priorities won’t be met.  We know that we need $800 billion for a quality prescription drug benefit for seniors under Medicare.  The Republican budget only dedicates $153 billion on a meaningless benefit.   The Democratic alternative Budget would provide $151 billion to address dire education needs like teacher recruitment and school construction.  The Republican budget, however, won’t commit any money to school construction.  Public Housing has a $22 billion backlog in repairs and renovation.  The Republican budget actually cuts $1 billion from public housing budget accounts.  

“The American public believes that the federal government has a role to play in meeting our nation’s education, public housing, and healthcare needs and in ensuring the long term health of Medicare and Social Security.  The Republican budget fails that role miserably.”