Patsy T. Mink: “I rise to oppose H.R. 1158. Two- thirds of the $17.1 billion in rescissions contained in H.R. 1158 are taken from…”

“I rise to oppose H.R. 1158. Two- thirds of the $17.1 billion in rescissions contained in H.R. 1158 are taken from programs for children and the poor. While this fact demonstrates the majority party's indifference to programs that impact children, low-income families, and the elderly poor, the majority party's indifference is compounded by the fact that these rescissions were intended to offset part of the majority party's proposed package of tax cuts that total $189 billion. When it was brought to light that these cuts in programs for children and the poor were going to pay for tax cuts for the rich, the majority party was forced to change their strategy and dedicate the funds to deficit reduction. I submit that this bill will only increase our nation's deficit. It will increase our deficit in education, nutrition, housing, employment and other services that our communities desperately need to raise the future generations that will lead this nation. It decimates the precious few dollars we spend on investments in our most important asset--our human capital--and yet does not touch the tax credits, subsidies, and direct benefits that corporations are feeding upon from the Federal government. H.R. 1158 cuts appropriations for low-income programs by 15% while cutting appropriations for other programs by just 1%. Of H.R.…”