Bart Stupak: “Mr. Chairman, the budget that we have put forth by the Republican majority is almost an unbelievable exercise in fiscal…”

“Mr. Chairman, the budget that we have put forth by the Republican majority is almost an unbelievable exercise in fiscal irresponsibility. On the very first day of the war that we are now fighting, the majority party introduced a budget resolution that does not provide 1 cent, not 1 cent, to prosecute this war. This budget resolution contains more than $1 trillion in tax cuts that would benefit very few Americans, while endangering Social Security and Medicare. I offered an amendment to the budget resolution to express the sense of the Congress that no new tax cuts should be passed until the Health, Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds are secured, but I was, of course, denied the opportunity to offer the amendment here tonight. When we take a look at what is before us, when so many things are uncertain, I believe we need to pause before we pass into law huge, permanent tax cuts paid for by shortchanging essential programs, such as Medicare, education, veterans and funding for first responders.”