Martin Sabo: “I rise today to address the American people and give some insight into the fiscal priorities of the new Congressional…”

“I rise today to address the American people and give some insight into the fiscal priorities of the new Congressional leadership. This rescissions bill seeks to slash nearly one of every six dollars set aside for the disadvantaged in our country in fiscal year 1995. That represents a dramatic $17 billion, or 15.7% reduction in funding for federal domestic programs. In contrast, only 1.2% of the funding for the rest of the discretionary budget, including defense, is targeted for reductions. Today the new Congressional leadership sends a clear message: when it comes to making sacrifices in the federal budget, it's children, women, and senior citizens first. The Republicans terminate the summer youth program starting in 1995, and reduce $1.7 billion in funding for education programs including School-to-Work activities. Such ill-advised policy will produce modest reductions in expenditures in the short-term, but yield substantial long-term losses in the productivity and earning power of today's youth. I question the wisdom of striking directly at the programs which enable motivated young people to improve their own lives. Additionally, these rescissions terminate a program which teaches children about substance abuse and violence prevention, the Safe and Drug-Free Schools program. While this rescission will do little to cut the deficit, it does effectively cut through Republican rhetoric.”