“Just a few months ago, Republicans voted for a $792 billion tax giveaway that included $2.6 billion in new tax breaks to oil companies, a $250 million tax giveaway to the drug companies, and $1.18 billion in tax shelters to insurance companies,” Schakowsky said. 

“Now, they are shortchanging our schools, our seniors, our veterans, even our national security because they claim they cannot find the money.  What hypocrisy,” she added.

The 0.97% across-the-board cut included in the Labor, HHS, Education Appropriations bill would result in:
approximately 71,000 fewer women, infants and children benefiting from food assistance   and nutrition services;
a $2.7 million cut in home-delivered and group meals provided to the elderly;
4,800 fewer children in Head Start;
9,700 fewer children learning to read through literacy services;
roughly 2,900 children not receiving the full complement of childhood immunization;
a $184 million reduction in Veterans Medical Care;
nearly a year delay in funding for medical research, including 60% of the National Institutes of Health grant portfolio;
a cut of about 27,800 active-duty armed services personnel;
a loss of 300 new teachers hired last year to reduce class size;
279 fewer employees at the Immigration and Naturalization Service;
about 20,000 families who need affordable housing without Section 8 Housing Vouchers;
$58 million less for mass transit;

“These indiscriminate cuts will cause great suffering and disruption in communities across the nation.  It doesn’t have to be.  If the Republicans would sit down with the President and Democrats and negotiate a sensible budget, they could save Americans from an unnecessary scare this Halloween,” Schakowsky said.