Hilda L. Solis: “this morning I note that Republicans in Congress have created a culture of corruption and cronyism at the expense of the…”

“this morning I note that Republicans in Congress have created a culture of corruption and cronyism at the expense of the American public. Instead of helping our senior citizens, students, veterans, and working families that are struggling every single day and see high prices at the gas station and high home heating costs, Republicans are demanding an additional $15 billion in cuts for a budget reconciliation plan. Republicans I understand want to cut the Federal low income heating program known as LIHEAP at a time when families are expected to pay double and triple compared to last year's heating home costs. Republicans also plan to cut Medicaid and Medicare at a time when the number of people without health insurance has grown to 5 million people in 4 years. Republicans plan to cut higher education when we know that the cost of education and to send our kids to college is more than 20 percent higher than it was a few years ago. Republicans are demanding all these drastic cuts to help pay for the reconstruction of Katrina. Why aren't we asking the wealthiest people in the country who have been given tax credits and giveaways and somehow make them accountable to help with this? ____________________”