Eva M. Clayton: “Mr. Speaker, last year the Republicans failed to pass a budget resolution for the first time since modern day budgets…”

“Mr. Speaker, last year the Republicans failed to pass a budget resolution for the first time since modern day budgets have been enacted. But that legacy should not be reversed by now stuffing a conference agreement down the throats of the American people. That legacy should not be reversed by hurting those who need our help. The conference agreement before us fails to protect Social Security. It does not extend the Social Security Trust Fund by one day. The conference agreement does nothing to protect Medicare. The agreement contains large tax breaks that could cost close to $2 trillion over 15 years and would primarily benefit the wealthiest Americans. And, under the agreement, non-defense discretionary spending declines drastically. Mr. Speaker, we should not repeat the failures of the last Congress. We should pass a budget resolution for fiscal year 2000 but we should pass one that has been carefully studied and deliberated as well as considered by both sides of the House. The agreement before us has been hastily put together. I doubt that any Member, Republican or Democrat, knows what is in it. The agreement before us hurts ordinary American citizens. I urge my colleagues to vote against this patched together, last minute desperate attempt to put something on the floor, hastily put together with no consideration of due process or the American people. I urge my colleagues to vote against it.”