WASHINGTON (February 1, 2006) Less than twenty four hours after the President’s State of the Union Address the U.S. House of Representatives voted on the conference report of the Republican budget reconciliation package.  S.1932 drastically cuts student loan programs, Medicaid, Medicare and child support enforcement.  S.1932 passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 216-214. 

“It is quite ironic that this President and the Republican Leadership in Washington talked about innovation and education last night, but today are making it harder for our students to attend college with over $12 billion in cuts to student loan programs,”  said Chandler.  

The President said in his speech last night that the federal government is fulfilling its responsibility to provide healthcare to the poor and elderly.  “Yet today this President’s budget package contains $7 billion in Medicaid cuts and another $7 billion in cuts to Medicare, said Chandler.  “I fail to see how cutting billions from Medicare is taking care of the poor and elderly who are struggling to obtain needed care.”

S. 1932 also cuts child support enforcement by $1.5 billion.  “As former Attorney General, I understand how vital it is to support our prosecutors and law enforcement officials in cracking down on deadbeat parents, and I simply cannot believe that the Republicans have sided with deadbeat parents who refuse to support their children.” 

These cuts to education, healthcare and child support enforcement come after the President’s call for permanent tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans.  “It is unconscionable for this President to ask our students, seniors and children to pay for the tax cuts of American millionaires, said Congressman Chandler.  “It is simply wrong, and I will continue to vote against these cuts and other irresponsible budget packages.”  

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