Chairman Cleaver’s Statement on Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction

Washington, DC – Chairman Emanuel Cleaver, II released the following statement today after the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction announced that the Committee did not reach an agreement:

“I am disappointed that the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction was unable to reach a fair and balanced agreement that could have cut America’s deficit and created new jobs. Throughout this process, the Republican Leadership continued to protect the rich at the expense of hard working American families – including those in our most vulnerable communities. We cannot continue to ask those who have suffered the most to bear the burden with reckless cuts to vital programs like job training, education, and health care for millions of American families.

“I applaud our Democratic Leader Jim Clyburn, for all of his hard work, his dedication and for refusing to go along with the extreme agenda of tax cuts for the rich and deep cuts to vital programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. I am pleased he stood up with our colleagues for a balanced approach. I still believe that we can responsibly reduce our deficit while investing in our communities and our future. It is unfortunate some of the members of the Committee refused to consider them.”

- Chairman Emanuel Cleaver, II