On the recordMarch 13, 2013
As a former member of the House Budget Committee, I understand well the challenges of budgeting for our Nation's future. Unfortunately, the budget introduced by House Republicans this week fails at its most fundamental tasks: protecting the middle class and laying the groundwork for strong economic growth. As it has for the last 2 years, the Ryan budget once again makes deep cuts to Medicare, as it also repeals a host of Federal measures making health insurance affordable for middle class families. It replaces the security of Medicare with a voucher that will lose its value over time--driving many middle class seniors into poverty--and makes deep cuts to education, transportation and infrastructure, and public health and safety, gutting society's basic functions without which businesses can't find educated workers, move their products to market, or operate safely. Voters roundly rejected this approach only a few months ago. I call on my colleagues to reject this budget and join me in supporting a balanced approach to deficit reduction. ____________________
