Nita Lowey: “Since President Trump's draconian FY 2018 budget was released last year, Democrats have warned Republicans that a…”

“Since President Trump's draconian FY 2018 budget was released last year, Democrats have warned Republicans that a bipartisan budget agreement was needed to adequately invest in American families and communities. Without a budget agreement, programs as diverse as Head Start, job training, and terrorism prevention grants are in danger of inadequate funding, at best. Instead of engaging with Democrats to reach a budget agreement, the majority is seeking to advance a full year of funding for only the Department of Defense, busting budget caps, while punting every other Federal service and investment to an uncertain future. Mr. Speaker, the most powerful country in the world now being completely run by a Republican government can't keep the lights on more than weeks at a time. How did we get here? Democrats will not go along with any plan that neglects critical national security and domestic needs. If this bill were to become law, the majority would have no workable plan to make the investments that are necessary for priorities, including biomedical research, infrastructure projects, Pell Grants, homeland security, assistance for local communities, veterans health, opioid funding, job training, the FBI, and other Federal law enforcement and more. This is not a serious bill. We know that it will be quickly rejected by the Senate.…”