[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 148 (Wednesday, November 9, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H10045]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1015
BUDGET RECONCILIATION
(Mr. HINOJOSA asked and was given permission to address the House for
1 minute.)
Mr. HINOJOSA. Madam Speaker, tomorrow the leadership of this House
will bring up a budget reconciliation bill which makes cuts to
Medicaid, food stamp programs for children, student loan aid programs
that will force thousands of college students to leave school and
prevent thousands more from even beginning higher education at the
community college or university of their choice.
At a time when we are importing scientists, engineers, doctors,
nurses and other highly trained workers to keep our economy running,
this House is going to siphon off student aid dollars to provide $70
billion of tax cuts for the rich. According to the Congressional Budget
Office, there will be nearly $8 billion in new charges to students and
families that will raise the cost of their college loans at a time when
the cost of higher education is rising much faster than the rate of
inflation.
This reconciliation bill is not about controlling runaway Federal
spending. It is about destroying our future for the short-term benefit
of a privileged few. I urge my colleagues to oppose this shortsighted
budget reconciliation bill.
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