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Conference Report on S.1932, Deficit Reduction Act of 2005

Date: Dec. 22, 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Unemployed and Low-Income


CONFERENCE REPORT ON S. 1932, DEFICIT REDUCTION ACT OF 2005 -- (Extensions of Remarks - December 22, 2005)

SPEECH OF
HON. BETTY McCOLLUM
OF MINNESOTA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2005

Ms. MCCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the Republican's so-called budget reconciliation plan. This bill cuts vital services to families to provide tax cuts for the most fortunate. At the same time that the majority adds to our Nation's exploding Federal budget deficit.

The conference committee unfortunately failed to alleviate the draconian cuts in the original House version of this bill. The conference report before us slashes Medicaid, reducing access to health care for children and families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. It continues the Republican plan to balance the budget on the backs of students by including $13 billion in cuts to student financial aid: The bill increases costs for local government and decreases services for families by cutting funding for child support enforcement, foster care, and other child welfare programs.

Conferees also chose to disregard the common-sense cost saving measures passed in the Senate bill. The bill before us does not include the elimination of the PPO slush fund which is a $10 million giveaway to the insurance and drug industry. Republicans have once again chosen to prioritize corporations over families.

Mr. Speaker, this bill is an outrage. It is outrageous that Republicans dare to claim fiscal responsibility while preparing to pass $60 billion in tax breaks for the wealthy. It is outrageous that to pay for these giveaways to their wealthy friends, American families will lose access to health care, critical services, and an affordable college education. And it is outrageous that the leadership of this House is passing this shameful bill in the early hours of the morning while the American public is sleeping.

This reckless bill should be defeated and urge my colleagues to join me in voting against it.

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