Congressional Delegation Says GOP Budget Proposal Would Devastate RI
Friday, March 30, 2012
Members of Rhode Island’s Congressional Delegation unsurprisingly voiced their opposition to the $3.5 trillion budget passed by House Republicans Thursday, claiming the plan would endanger Medicare recipients and cut aid for college students.
The proposal, which passed 228-191 and had zero Democratic votes, has virtually no chance to pass in the Democratic-controlled Senate, setting up a battle between the two Parties heading into election season.
“With so many Americans still out of work, I can hardly believe that the Republican House leadership asked members to support a proposal that would seriously undermine key investments that are so important to job creation,” Congressman Cicilline said. “This legislation has no chance of passing in the Senate, and it’s unfortunate that common sense solutions have once again given way to political posturing in Washington.”
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House Republicans argue their plan will create spur private sector job creation, cut government spending and offer tax cuts to the wealthy. But Democrats say the budget is an unrealistic proposal that will do little to help the middle class.
According the White House, the state would see Pell Grants fall by $820 in 2014; 1,510 Rhode Island students would lose work-study job opportunities in 2014; The state would lose $17 million in Title I and IDEA funding for its elementary and secondary schools; and over the next two years, 900 children would lose access to Head Start.
Senator Jack Reed spokesman Chip Unruh called the plan a “raw deal for Rhode Island.”
“It would end Medicare as we know it and slash Pell grants while giving the wealthiest Americans even more tax breaks and preserving corporate welfare for big oil companies and corporations that send jobs overseas,” he said. “It leaves most of the hard work for future Congresses and breaks promises Congress made last year in the Budget Control Act to rein in federal spending. Balancing the budget means making hard choices to align spending with revenues. This effort must include reforming the tax code in a way that is fair to all Americans. The Ryan plan isn’t serious, it simply lacks credibility. It would be harmful to Rhode Islanders.”
Earlier in the week, Senator Whitehouse said the changes to Medicare and Medicaid would be costly to senior citizens and families.
“A serious effort in Congress is under way to do away with Medicare as we know it and to slash the support the federal government provides for Medicaid, he said. “Last year, the House of Representatives passed a Republican Budget which would have privatized Medicare and required seniors to pay the majority of their health expenses with their own money.”
Cicilline Supported Democratic Proposal
On Thursday, Cicilline said he supported an alternative budget proposal introduced by Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) that would have preserved the Medicare guarantee, permanently extended middle class tax cuts, and maintained vital investments in transportation jobs, manufacturing, and education – while also reducing the deficit through polices that balance spending cuts and increased revenue.
Van Hollen’s budget was voted down by a vote of 162-263.
“It’s no wonder that so many Americans believe that Washington is out of touch,” Cicilline said. “Rather than trying to pass another tax giveaway for the richest among us, House Republicans should join with Democrats and enact public policies that will actually benefit our middle class and working families.”
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