On the recordMarch 8, 2011
since the moment Republican Representatives passed their budget, the now infamous H.R. 1--it was their No. 1 issue in the House of Representatives--the country has been waiting to see whether the Senate would repeat the House's mistake in passing it. The House has passed it. The plan the tea party pushed through the House is an irresponsible plan. It is a reckless plan. It is dangerous for the health of our economy and certainly the citizens of our great country. In the last few days, I have come to the floor and explained at length the damage this tea party plan would do in the short term and in the long term. Let me now again talk, briefly, about a few of the things I have talked about before--but I will talk about them again. Here are some of the consequences. H.R. 1 will fire 700,000 Americans, 6,000 Nevadans. Our budget would create jobs, not cost jobs. It will kick 200,000 Head Start students, the poorest of the poor, little boys and girls trying to get started in life, it will kick them off their ability to learn to read and do elementary math. Hundreds in Nevada will suffer from that. This is a very successful early education program. Head Start works. It would slash college students' Pell grants, the financial aid so many rely on to afford to go to school. It will eliminate job training investment at a time when we need them the most. It would pull the plug on 600 renewable energy jobs at the largest solar plant in Nevada.
