[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 168 (Thursday, December 22, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2649]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CONFERENCE REPORT ON S. 1932, DEFICIT REDUCTION ACT OF 2005

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                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Sunday, December 18, 2005

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition 
to the Republican's so-called budget reconciliation plan. This bill 
cuts vital services to families to provide tax cuts for the most 
fortunate. At the same time that the majority adds to our Nation's 
exploding Federal budget deficit.
  The conference committee unfortunately failed to alleviate the 
draconian cuts in the original House version of this bill. The 
conference report before us slashes Medicaid, reducing access to health 
care for children and families, the elderly, and persons with 
disabilities. It continues the Republican plan to balance the budget on 
the backs of students by including $13 billion in cuts to student 
financial aid: The bill increases costs for local government and 
decreases services for families by cutting funding for child support 
enforcement, foster care, and other child welfare programs.
  Conferees also chose to disregard the common-sense cost saving 
measures passed in the Senate bill. The bill before us does not include 
the elimination of the PPO slush fund which is a $10 million giveaway 
to the insurance and drug industry. Republicans have once again chosen 
to prioritize corporations over families.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill is an outrage. It is outrageous that 
Republicans dare to claim fiscal responsibility while preparing to pass 
$60 billion in tax breaks for the wealthy. It is outrageous that to pay 
for these giveaways to their wealthy friends, American families will 
lose access to health care, critical services, and an affordable 
college education. And it is outrageous that the leadership of this 
House is passing this shameful bill in the early hours of the morning 
while the American public is sleeping.
  This reckless bill should be defeated and urge my colleagues to join 
me in voting against it.

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