Chairman Cleaver’s Statement on the Proposed Republican Budget

Washington, DC – Chairman Emanuel Cleaver, II released the following statement on the proposed Republican Budget released today:

“It is clear that the Republican Leadership’s budget is more of the same–more reckless and draconian cuts. This budget does not support, protect, or uplift hardworking American families, rather it significantly harms them.

“Budgets are a window into the moral compass of our conscience as a nation—and our compass is evidently off. The Republican Leadership’s allegiance remains with the rich at the expense of our seniors and our most vulnerable communities. Cutting vital programs such as job training, education, and health care to millions of hardworking American families is not a roadmap to balancing the budget. It is a road to nowhere. It ends Medicare as we know it and shifts the burden of rising health care costs to seniors and rewards corporations that continue to ship American jobs overseas while slashing investments in education and scientific research that help America compete in the global economy.

“The American people do not deserve this. They deserve access to good jobs to ensure their ability to protect and care for their families. They deserve parity in educational opportunities for their children. They deserve retirement security and access to affordable healthcare for their families. Hardworking American families may not be the priority of the Republican leadership, but they are the priority of the ‘Conscience of the Congress’—the Congressional Black Caucus.”

- Chairman Emanuel Cleaver, II