[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4502]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  APPRECIATING THE SUPPORT OF OUTSIDE GROUPS ON THE DEMOCRATIC BUDGET 
                              ALTERNATIVE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 25, 2015

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, while we were crafting the Democratic 
alternative budget we met with organizations representing millions of 
Americans--from seniors to students to hard-working families. I want to 
thank the many people who took the time to advocate so passionately for 
their cause. Many of these groups have written to Congress to publicly 
state their strong opposition to the Republican budget before the House 
today, eloquently enumerating the many hardships it will cause to 
working families, students, seniors and other Americans.
  I also wanted to thank those who expressed support for the Democratic 
alternative because of its efforts to ensure broadly shared prosperity, 
helping middle-class families and those working their way into the 
middle class, and to invest in the future. I appreciate the support we 
have received from people working on broad range of issues. This 
includes groups representing those concerned with educating our 
children and making college affordable, such as the National Education 
Association and the Student Aid Alliance. We also heard from those who 
represent the many federal employees who provide vital services, such 
as the National Treasury Employees Union. The Leadership Conference on 
Civil and Human Rights also wrote in to share their support for our 
Democratic alternatives and the policies it reflects.
  I also want to thank those who are working tirelessly to protect 
Social Security for the growing number of seniors who depend on the 
program, including the strong advocacy from the National Committee to 
Preserve Social Security and Medicare. I share the Committee's goal of 
ensuring a livable retirement for all seniors and the importance of 
Social Security as fewer Americans have defined benefit pension plans. 
That is why during the Budget Committee's consideration of the 
resolution I offered an amendment to protect Social Security benefits 
from the threat of privatization or benefit cuts that could result from 
the Republican budget. We have heard from many others who strongly 
oppose the harmful cuts in the Republican budget--groups as diverse as 
the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, the 
Coalition for Human Needs, Citizens for Tax Justice, Paralyzed Veterans 
of America, and the Service Employees International Union.
  I appreciate the input, advice, and support of the many people who 
helped us design the Democratic alternative and work for its passage.

                          ____________________