Bob Wise: “I rise today to oppose this irresponsible Republican brought-to-the-floor budget bill. This bill does not extend the…”

“I rise today to oppose this irresponsible Republican brought-to-the-floor budget bill. This bill does not extend the life of Social Security by 1 day. It does nothing to deal with the problem of high prescription drug prices, does not add one penny for Medicare prescription drug benefit. It does, though, hurt West Virginia families in very real ways. People talk about cutting waste, a 1 percent cut across the board they say will cut waste. Well, let us find the waste and cut that, but let us not go after the very programs that West Virginia families depend upon. For instance, the Head Start mother who is going to find that her child will not be able to go to Head Start. Or what about the family who is concerned about the war on crime and finds out that 110 FBI agents will have to be cut under this? What about the veteran that came up to me at the Black Walnut Festival concerned about veterans health care and finds out the real cuts in veterans health care in this budget bill? And what about the hundreds of students in high poverty areas that are not going to qualify for the educational assistance programs they have been receiving? Bad bill, Mr. Speaker. Vote it down.”