Deficit Reduction Act

DEFICIT REDUCTION ACT -- (House of Representatives - November 10, 2005)

(Mr. McGOVERN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)

Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, this so-called Deficit Reduction Act is an intellectually dishonest, cruel hoax. The Republican leadership claims they are reducing the deficit, but in reality they are actually hurting the poorest and most vulnerable in this country:

Health care for poor people, slashed by $9.5 billion; food for poor people, decreased by over $840 million; student loans for college students, a $14.3 billion cut.

Mr. Speaker, Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita reopened the eyes of Americans to the staggering poverty that still exists in this country, yet the Republican leadership wants to slash over $50 billion from programs that will help our most vulnerable citizens across America. If that were not bad enough, there is a tax cut worth at least $70 billion on its way. Combined with this upcoming tax cut, the so-called Deficit Reduction Act will actually increase the deficit by $20 billion.

We are a much better country than this bill puts forth. If this bill passes today, the Republicans will have succeeded in creating a government without a conscience. Shame on them.

Let me appeal to the moderates on the other side. Do the right thing. Don't throw away your conscience. Don't be a cheap date. Vote against this bill.

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