On the recordApril 6, 2011
Both sides here have agreed to serious budget cuts. The choice is between responsible cuts and extreme cuts that endanger our fragile recovery, cost jobs, and hurt seniors. And because Democrats are fighting to stop the Republican extreme cuts, Republicans are threatening to shut the government down. Their proposal cuts investments in projects like high-speed rail by $1.5 billion, which could have a serious impact on jobs in the St. Louis region I represent. And their proposal lacks the common sense and courage to end taxpayer giveaways to Big Oil, millionaires, and companies sending jobs overseas. But most shockingly, as the Wall Street Journal has noted, the proposed budget would drastically cut Medicare and Medicaid, throwing our seniors into crisis. The AARP has said the proposal would ``deny vulnerable seniors access to long-term care and force deep cuts in quality and safety in nursing homes, leaving more seniors at risk.'' The Republican extreme cuts are not the solution. I urge my Republican colleagues to get serious. It's time to roll our sleeves up and work together to solve the Nation's problems, not create more problems by shutting the government down. ____________________
