Date: 2015-03-25
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chair. I come to the floor to speak in ardent opposition to the Republican Budget. This budget fails to deliver for the majority of hardworking Americans. many of whom are scraping by. living paycheck to paycheck. The House Republican budget would bring us back to the same topdown economics that have failed time and time againtax cuts for millionaires and billionaires. while slashing investments in the middle class. The GOP budget significantly undermines the economic and health security of the people of Texas. In the state of Texas alone the proposed budget would place an unnecessary economic burden on seniors by increasing the cost of prescriptions in the future and eliminating guaranteed access to Medicare. Although statistics show that the Affordable Care Act is working through the 16 million Americans that have gained coverage. the GOP budget would eliminate coverage for more than 1.2 million Texans receiving coverage through the marketplace. The House Republican budget ransacks our nations commitment to educationthe foundation for economic opportunity and a successful futurewith severe cuts in elementary and secondary education and early learning programs. including measures which make college less affordable for millions of students who rely on Pell Grants. federal student loans. and higher education tax credits. In addition to students. the proposed Republican budget threatens workers. women and children. Under the Republican budget. middle class families will see higher taxes and millions will see fewer jobs. The last thing that hardworking Texas families can afford right now is higher taxes. fewer jobs and less growth. This budget would cut our investments in our nations R&D and innovation enterprisethe investments that have allowed us to be a world leader in these fields. If we shortchange those accounts in an attempt to cut a few more dollars from the deficit over the shortterm. the reality is that we will wind up shortchanging our future economy and quality of life for decades to come. We need a better plan and a better set of values to build a strong and prosperous America. I support a budget that would aid the American people by advancing our healthcare system. securing a pathway to proper funding for medical advancements and ensuring affordable healthcare for all. I support a budget that values the future of Americas role in STEM advancements through technological innovation and scientific research. I support a budget that would lower taxes for working families and students. and a budget that would make sound investments in programs like Head Start. I support a budget that would reinvigorate our infrastructure through highway and mass transit planning and investment. As it stands. the Republican budget does not bring all of these options to the table. Though we may not always agree. as lawmakers. we must set aside our own political agendas by joining together to pass legislation that benefits all Americans. I encourage all of my colleagues to join me in strong opposition to the Republican Budget. and instead to support the Presidents FY16 and to commit to more robust investments in our future economic prosperity.