Dan Kildee: “the bill we consider today cuts over $50 billion from essential programs that help Americans struggling just to get by.…”

“the bill we consider today cuts over $50 billion from essential programs that help Americans struggling just to get by. Over a quarter of these cuts, a staggering $14.3 billion, will be slashed from student aid programs, the largest cut in the history of these programs. According to a new CBO estimate, much of these so- called savings are generated by forcing students and parents to pay nearly $8 billion in new fees and increased interest rates. These cuts will force individual students and their families to pay as much as $5,800 more for college. Why would Congress want to force students to pay more for college? The harsh truth, Mr. Speaker, is that the underlying intent of this bill is to balance the massive deficit and pay for additional tax cuts on the backs of students already struggling to pay for college. Instead of reinvesting the so-called savings into making college more accessible and affordable, we will vote later to hand out an additional $70 billion in tax cuts. These additional tax cuts, Mr. Speaker, will benefit the wealthiest in our country while increasing the burden on ordinary Americans. Mr. Speaker, our budget decisions reflect our values. This bill does not reflect the values that I cherish. I oppose this Robin-Hood-in- reverse bill. I ask my colleagues to vote their conscience and oppose this merciless reconciliation package.”