Nancy Pelosi: “Yesterday we began debate on a bad Labor/ HHS/Education Appropriations bill, a bill that cuts $2.9 billion from…”

“Yesterday we began debate on a bad Labor/ HHS/Education Appropriations bill, a bill that cuts $2.9 billion from education services; cuts $1.7 billion from labor with cuts to workforce development and safety investments; and cuts more than $1 billion from critical health programs. And next week we will be forced to vote on this bill that undermines so many of our nation's priorities. Why? Because the Republican House leadership passed a bad Budget Resolution that puts tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans above investments to promote America's education, workforce, and health services. Their $175 billion tax cut exceeds the projected budget surplus and requires deep cuts in non-defense discretionary appropriations. And here we are again, voting on a measure that would provide over $50 billion to the wealthiest 2 percent of taxpayers. How much is enough? When will Republicans be satisfied with the amount of money they have given to the wealthy, and turn their attention to the majority of Americans who want a good education, a strong work force, and a healthy future? This bill will cost $50 billion per year when fully phased in. This monstrous hole in the federal budget will undoubtedly translate into cuts from areas that the American people care about, just as the proposed $175 billion Republican tax cut translated into cuts in yesterday's proposed Labor/HHS/Education Appropriations bill.”