Political Quotes

“I honor my friend from Maryland for his extraordinary and outstanding leadership on a very difficult set of complex numbers and policies known as the U.S. budget. Thank you so much for your leadership. Mr. Chairman, this year's Republican budget resolution is incredulously titled ``A Balanced Budget for a Stronger America,'' but by every measure, the draconian cuts proposed in this budget would severely weaken America's innovative advantage and competitiveness. It might as well be called ``Let's Disinvest in America.'' Consider the cuts to basic research, once a bedrock, a Federal priority that spurred new discoveries that are now vital in our daily lives and the economy. R&D is critical for my northern Virginia district, where the technology community is driving innovation. This Republican budget would slash R&D funding by 15 percent, to its lowest level since 2002. That is a retreat from America's role as the global innovation leader and, essentially, cedes the playing field to our international competition. Similarly, the Republican budget would disinvest in our classrooms. To achieve their ruse of balancing the budget over 10 years, Republicans would cut nondefense spending 24 percent below the already reduced sequester levels. For K-12 education, that translates into an $89 billion cut over the next decade and would surely leave every child behind their international peers.…”