Washington, D.C.—Today, Rep. David B. McKinley, P.E. (R-WV) issued the following statement regarding his vote against the House Republican budget:

“In the past days Congress has voted on several budget proposals that represent differing priorities. Yesterday, the House overwhelmingly rejected President Obama’s budget, with only two of 199 Democrats voting in favor,” said McKinley. “The House Democrat budget was also resoundingly defeated. The lack of support for these plans makes it clear just how out of touch the Obama Administration and the Democrats’ priorities are.”

“The plan offered by Rep. Paul Ryan stands in stark contrast,” said McKinley. “He should be commended for presenting a budget that balances in ten years, makes necessary reforms to welfare programs, repeals Obamacare, and reduces waste and duplication.”

“While the House Republican budget includes positive aspects, it also includes some proposals that differ from the priorities of West Virginia’s First District,” said McKinley.

These concerns with the budget include:

• Maintaining Obamacare cuts to Medicare and making changes to the program that could negatively impact older West Virginians;

• A lack of needed investments in our aging infrastructure;

• Reducing funding to programs such as Community Development Block Grants that communities across the First District utilize;

• Cuts to education; and

• Phasing out Essential Air Service (EAS), which our airports depend on.

“The budget – whether it’s offered by Republicans or Democrats – is a purely political document not binding by law,” said McKinley. “Rather than seeking partisan battles, Congress should be focused on getting things done by working together. In the coming months I hope we can find areas of common ground to solve our problems.”