Political Quotes

“As we sit here currently, the Budget Committee is undertaking a matter of grave concern. I include in the Record letters from both the AFGE and the AFL-CIO with respect to the establishment of the so-called fiscal commission. January 12, 2024. AFGE Applauds Lawmakers' Call To Reject Fiscal Commission Washington--The American Federation of Government Employees is echoing calls from nearly 120 lawmakers for Congress to reject a proposed fiscal commission that would bypass elected leadership and make recommendations to slash vital federal programs and government services. ``A fiscal commission would give a small group of lawmakers and non-elected individuals enormous power to recommend cuts to Social Security and other popular programs without any ability for the public to weigh in,'' AFGE National President Everett Kelley said. ``If Congress is serious about preserving Social Security, Medicare, and similar programs for future generations, then it needs to have an honest discussion about how to do that-- not pawn off these decisions to a secret group behind closed doors.'' On Jan. 11, Reps. John Larson of Connecticut and Jan Schakowsky of Illinois sent a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries signed by 116 members of the U.S. House calling on them to exclude a fiscal commission from legislation funding the federal government for the remainder of fiscal 2024 or any other must-pass bills.…”