Congresswoman Barbara Lee Responds to Republican Failure to Meet Statutory Budget Deadline
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, a member of the House Budget Committee, released this statement on the Republican failure to meet the critical April 15th budget deadline:
“Republicans failing to meet the statutory deadline for budget enactment is simply unacceptable. The American people deserve better than a do-nothing Republican Congress that consistently misses critical legal deadlines that are vital for our economy and the future of American families. No family, organization or company could operate without a budget, why do Republicans think that our government can?
Perhaps more shocking than the failure to meet the law’s requirements, is the reason for the failure. Despite a draconian budget that slashes proven anti-poverty programs by 62 percent, the GOP budget wasn’t extreme enough for the Tea Party wing of the Republican caucus.
For these Tea Partiers, ending the Medicare guarantee and $6.5 trillion in cuts isn’t enough austerity. This failure clearly shows the GOP’s radicalism and general disdain for seniors, students and struggling families.
Just like a family’s budget, our nation’s budget is a statement of our priorities, morals and principles. By failing to advance a budget and meet the law’s requirements, Republicans are sending a clear message that they are beholden to extremism, the super-rich and special interests, instead of the American people.
As a member of the Budget Committee and chair of the Democratic Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality and Opportunity, I know that my Democratic colleagues are committed to ensuring our nation’s budget creates good-paying jobs, invests in innovation, rebuilds our crumbling roads and bridges and grows the paychecks of American workers.”
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Congresswoman Lee is a member of the Appropriations and Budget Committees, the Steering and Policy Committee, is a Senior Democratic Whip, former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and co-chair of the Progressive Caucus. She serves as chair of the Whip’s Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity.