Steve Israel: “I will continue to support tax cuts that truly stimulate our economy and spur investment, but I believe that the…”

“I will continue to support tax cuts that truly stimulate our economy and spur investment, but I believe that the Republican budget before us today and the sweeping magnitude and breadth and depth of tax cuts to the most affluent at the cost of the most urgent national needs is irresponsible. The Republican plan allows U.S. troops to go into a war today and then slashes their veterans' benefits by billions when they return tomorrow because their budget needs those billions from veterans to fund a $90,000 tax cut per millionaire. Mr. Speaker, I represent some affluent areas. I represent people who are millionaires. They are good, hard-working people, but I cannot imagine a single one of them coming up to me and saying, give me my $90,000 tax cut today, and I do not care about those soldiers who are fighting for my freedoms and safety in Iraq. This budget could eliminate enrollment for 158,000 veterans, necessitate 400,000 fewer hospital-bed days, reduce the number of nurses by 8,700. For veterans, it means longer waits and higher premiums.”