DeLauro Statement Opposing Republican Budget Agreement

WASHINGTON, DC—Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) released the following statement today on the budget agreement voted on by the House of Representatives today. DeLauro is the senior Democrat on the subcommittee responsible for funding the departments of Labor, Education, and Health and Human Services.

“Hardworking American families are in deep trouble. Their wages have been stagnant or in decline for 30 years. They have seen none of the benefit of the economic recovery. They are struggling to put bread on their tables and heat their homes, let alone take a vacation or start a college fund. Many are just one big expense away from disaster.

“We should be working to support these families, and make sure that they do not fall deeper into poverty. Instead, this radical and regressive budget would pull the rug out from under them. It would repeal the Affordable Care Act, increasing by millions the number of uninsured people in this country. Since the ACA was enacted, 9.4 million seniors have saved over $15 million on prescription drugs. Repealing the law would ensure that is a thing of the past.

“This budget agreement would freeze the maximum Pell grant, denying low-income students a chance at college just as they need it more than ever to get into the middle class. At a time when student loan debt already exceeds $1.3 trillion, this disinvestment in our future would harm America’s ability to be a world leader for generations to come.

“The budget green-lights tax increases for the middle class to pay for tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires. We already spend almost $1.5 trillion annually on tax breaks and loopholes, much of it directed toward the wealthy and special interests. Increasing that number is unconscionable.

“The middle class needs help. After years of neglect, we should be investing in them once more. Instead, this budget leaves them out in the cold. We cannot allow this catastrophe to happen.”


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