DeLauro Statement on the House Republican Budget

WASHINGTON, DC—Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) released the following statement today on this year’s version of the House Republican budget. DeLauro is the senior Democrat on the subcommittee responsible for funding the departments of Labor, Education, and Health and Human Services.

“Budgets are statements of values. Today the Majority in the House of Representatives has made clear that they do not value the millions of Americans struggling to get by. Shredding the social safety net by decimating programs such as food stamps, Medicaid and Medicare would make it harder for working and middle class families to do what we are all trying to do—make sure our children and grandchildren can do better than we did. Partially privatizing Medicare and taking all the safeguards out of the food stamp program is not the answer. This budget turns its back on the American Dream and leaves behind those who are still recovering from the Great Recession.

“Over the last four years we have cut deeper and deeper into the programs that are essential to the day-to-day lives of Americans. This budget would cut nearly $760 billion from non-defense spending over the coming decade, only furthering that pattern. The American public would feel that pain in all sorts of areas. Lifesaving biomedical research that strives to cure diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s. Investment into rebuilding our roads, bridges and rail lines that support commerce and travel. And, maybe most importantly, educational opportunities from preschool to college that ensure future generations are prepared to lead the world.

“My colleagues who support this plan will claim it is ‘balanced.’ But there is nothing balanced about taking from working Americans while spending money on tax breaks for the top one percent. Make no mistake about it: tax breaks are spending. It is time to have an honest debate about what our values are and where we want to go as a country. I know the vast majority of people want better for our nation than the vision this budget puts forward.”


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