On the recordJuly 19, 2017
Many of us are engaged in the budget process today. A budget for Americans should be the playbook for improving the quality of lives for all Americans. Yet this draconian budget, which is worse than the Trump budget, cuts $250 billion-plus out of quality of life issues for Americans. It cuts education, healthcare, Medicaid, Medicare, and the environment, undermining the fight against climate change. Where is the relief for the American people? We have the fact that wages are slow in growing. Mr. Speaker, corporate America is doing well, and all that is needed, as some corporations have already done, is to raise the salaries of Americans. We also need to make sure the government does what the American people need, to shore up the Affordable Care Act, but not cut billions from it. Shore up national defense, but not cut from diplomacy and engagement in peacekeeping activities, as well as USAID. Shore up America's national security. Give a quality of life to our young people so that jobs are created. How do you do that? You do that, Mr. Speaker, by ensuring that the climate and quality of life issues are there for corporations to grow. Growth is important for the American people, not draconian cuts to leave Americans without healthcare, without good climate, and without education. We want a budget for the American people. ____________________
