[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 57 (Tuesday, April 8, 2014)]
[House]
[Pages H2995-H2996]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 THE RYAN BUDGET: AN ATTACK ON AMERICA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Ohio (Ms. Fudge) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, this week, the House begins deliberations on 
the majority's budget for fiscal year 2015, better known as the Ryan 
budget. Sadly, it is reminiscent of the same misguided policy proposals 
rejected by the American people time after time.
  A budget is a moral document, a roadmap to fiscal stability, and the 
security of the social safety net. The majority's budget does neither. 
It is not a serious document, and it is not responsible.
  According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, nearly 70 
percent of the cuts included in the majority's budget come from 
programs serving low- and middle-income American families, programs 
like Pell grants, SNAP, and Medicaid; yet no cuts were made from 
defense funding. Instead, it received a near $500 million increase. 
Most would agree that a nation's budget reflects its priorities.

[[Page H2996]]

  The majority's budget is a clear sign that economic prosperity for 
all is simply not that important, that equality is not that important. 
Many of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are focused on 
shrinking the government at any cost--at all costs--even if it means 
doing so on the backs of the most vulnerable among us.
  The CBC substitute budget takes a different approach by offering a 
plan that reduces the deficit and alleviates the harm inflicted by 
sequestration in a responsible and fiscally sound way.
  The CBC substitute is focused on making our government work smarter 
and our programs operate more efficiently. It provides a plan to turn 
our country's economy around and to open the door of opportunity for 
future generations.
  The CBC substitute includes initiatives that would provide immediate 
assistance to all Americans, like extending emergency unemployment 
insurance and raising the Federal minimum wage while also mapping out a 
long-term agenda for future economic growth.
  It reinforces support for critical safety net programs, provides 
resources to address persistent poverty, rebuilds our transportation 
infrastructure, and promotes domestic manufacturing.
  The CBC substitute proposes reforms to make our Tax Code more fair. 
Our budget eliminates a number of special tax breaks that benefit the 
wealthiest Americans, and it closes the international tax loopholes 
that move American jobs overseas. The CBC proposed tax reforms would 
save $2 trillion over a 10-year period and would create jobs.
  By passing the CBC substitute, Congress can stimulate the economy 
while expanding the middle class. To my colleagues in the House, we 
have a blueprint. Let's build a better America together and move closer 
to giving everyone a budget and a country of which we can be proud.

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