Pingree Votes Against Republican Budget That Would End Medicare, Cause Job Losses

Press Release

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree voted against a Republican budget proposal today that would end Medicare and replace it with a voucher system for private insurance, would give the richest Americans a 37% tax cut and would slash spending for Pell grants and transportation projects in Maine.

The budget proposal is a spending plan for the 2012 fiscal year, which begins October 1.

"This is not a budget that takes the side of working families," Pingree said. "We have to reduce the deficit but this plan puts all of the burden on seniors and the middle class while giving big tax breaks to the rich and a handout to insurance companies."

The Republican budget proposal would also cut the maximum Pell Grant by 45%.

"Nearly 35,000 students in Maine will be going to college this fall with the help of Pell Grants," Pingree said. "Slashing those grants by 45% is pulling the rug out from under families who are already struggling to pay for college."

The Republican budget proposal would cut the maximum Pell Grant award from the current $5,500 to $2,500.

The budget also slashes critical transportation spending, causing Maine to lose nearly $70 million in federal funding next year, which would result in over 2,300 lost jobs.

"Maine's roads and bridges need critical work and the state is struggling to keep up with those needs," Pingree said. "The loss of another $70 million in highway funding next year is more than the state can handle and would lead directly to lost jobs."

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