[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 18 (Tuesday, February 14, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E146]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RELATING TO CONSIDERATION OF S. 1932, DEFICIT REDUCTION ACT OF 2005

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                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 14, 2006

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to 
House Resolution 653, the Budget Reconciliation Spending Cuts Act. 
There are many reasons to vote against the bill today, including the 
massive cuts to critical programs, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and 
child support enforcement. But the unconscionable cuts to student aid 
are reason enough to vote against this bill.
  Education has always been--and continues to be--the great equalizer 
in this country. Student loans in particular have helped to level the 
playing field for thousands of worthy students who cannot afford the 
high cost of a college education.
  For that reason, it is shocking and disappointing that over 30 
percent of the cuts in this bill are to student aid programs that help 
our kids afford a college education. To pass this bill, and cut funding 
for essential education programs, is to forsake our commitment to our 
children's future and to the future of our country.
  Skyrocketing student loan interest rates and fees, including a new 1 
percent ``insurance fee'' on college loans will make it even harder for 
many parents to send their children to college and on the road to a 
better and more prosperous life.
  Mr. Speaker, the passage of this bill will shatter the dreams of 
thousands of students whose only hope for a college education is 
through the support of federal financial aid.
  And it will weaken our country's future, because we will be denied 
the talents and contributions of these students, whose skills we need 
to compete in our highly skilled global economy. If we are to remain 
the greatest and most powerful nation in the world, we must educate and 
develop the talents of all our children.
  Adding to the tragic consequences of this bill is that the cuts to 
Medicare, Medicaid, child support enforcement, and student aid do 
nothing to reduce the shocking 3.4 trillion dollars deficit. The 
President's cuts to these critical programs are simply for the purpose 
of giving more tax cuts to the wealthiest 1 percent of our country.
  Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 653 is an ill-conceived and misguided bill that 
endangers the future of our children and the future of our country. I 
urge my colleagues to vote against this bill.




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