Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2025
Floor Speech
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Mr. NEAL. Mr. Chair, well, the looting is underway. Our colleagues are running the same failed playbook of trickle-down handouts. My friend, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Smucker) said the family of four is going to get $1,700. Look at the tax distribution tables and see what billionaires are going to get in this. That is the real issue that is in front of us on this occasion. Let me go to another point that I think is fascinating. DOGE is rummaging through your private records even as we speak.
How about the following? Imagine what the Republican reaction would have been if Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, or Joe Biden said, we are going to borrow $4 trillion more for these tax cuts for the wealthiest amongst us?
Don't kid yourself. Medicaid--71 million Americans--Medicare, Social Security, the American people depend upon these programs.
I am stunned that Republicans would borrow $4 billion to justify tax cuts for the wealthiest amongst us. By the way, these people aren't even asking for those tax cuts. The cuts will affect every part of American life, including those who need basic sustenance every day. We have the $4 trillion, but look at the alignment: $1.23 trillion here for cuts, but $1.2 trillion for tax cuts. Oh, let me figure that one out. They are going to cut Medicaid to justify what it is that they want to do.
There is no reason why billionaires should be getting a massive tax cut. It is totally unnecessary. In the end, that is what this legislation is about, despite their protestations. It provides $1,700 for a family of four, but tens of millions of dollars for billionaires. That is where these tax cuts are going.
I want you also to understand this: The people are watching. We are going to defend Medicare and Medicaid, and we are going to defend all of these entities that have made a difference in American life for average people every single day.
Let me close on this note: My father had a great saying. He used to say: Jesse James at least had the respect to wear a mask. They should be wearing masks for what they are doing today.
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