(Washington, DC) Congresswoman Brown made the following statement:
“Just last December, the Republicans forced a vote on extending the Bush Tax Cuts for millionaires and billionaires, adding $700 billion to our nation’s deficit. In reality, it was not that long ago, during the Clinton years from 1993-2000, when our budget had a surplus. Yet eight years of horribly reckless spending and excessive tax cuts for the rich under President Bush and the Republican leadership has left America trillions of dollars in debt.
I have always said that budgets are intrinsically about values and priorities – and it is clear from the Republican budget before the House today what their party’s priorities are: financing tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans on the backs of our seniors, the poor and the disabled. Their budget is nothing more than reverse Robin Hood: taking from the poor and middle class to give huge tax breaks to the rich, decimating Medicare and block granting Medicaid. In fact, their budget plan to privatize Medicare would force our senior citizens to pay $6000 more for health care beginning in 2022! And at the same time, they are advocating billions of dollars in cuts for job training programs, environmental protection, disease control, programs to assist homeless veterans; transportation and infrastructure (including high speed rail and Amtrak), crime protection, education programs and dozens of other critical areas for our country. If the Republican budget plans were enacted, the pain would fall disproportionately on the shoulders on the working poor and middle class, while the benefits will go to the richest 1%. It is obvious that Republican lawmakers are simply indifferent to the suffering these cuts could bring to the vast majority of Americans.
The Democratic budget alternative, on the other hand, will not only strengthen the economy but also reduce the deficit. In fact, this alternative is a balanced approach to spending and revenue, and is a direct contrast to the Republican budget. Unlike the Republican plan, our alternative reduces the deficit in a steady and responsible way. Beyond a doubt, the Democratic Party’s priorities stand in stark contrast with the Republican vision that ends Medicare and shifts health care costs to seniors. Indeed, the choices made in the Republican budget plan are simply wrong for America, while the Democratic plan is a path forward not only to address our deficit but also to make strategic investments and move our country forward.”
Congresswoman Brown Strongly Opposes Republican Budget
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