Hochul Gives Closing Arguments Against Boehner Bill

Statement

Today, Congresswoman Kathy Hochul offered the Democrats' final argument against Speaker John Boehner's plan that only aims to postpone a U.S. default by six months, while drastically cutting discretionary spending.

"Neverin our history has there been an intentional disaster, perpetrated by the very people who were elected to be the caretakers of this country," said Congresswoman Hochul. "That is exactly what will happen if we refuse to take action to prevent default and pay our nation's bills now."

Congresswoman Hochul introduced her own amendment that would prioritize where spending cuts come from: cutting subsidies to Big Oil and corporate jets owners, before cutting education funding.

"Tell me why at a time when we all agree that the deficit must be reduced, we don't ask Big Oil and companies with corporate jets to help out the country that helped them.

"Seaman's Hardware Store in Genesee County pays more in federal taxes than many companies that are enjoying off the chart profits, while some of my constituents can barely afford to fill a gas tank so they can get to their minimum wage jobs at the dollar discount store.

"There is one value we all share and that is fairness. Two things that are fundamentally unfair about this plan: It is unfair to put this country through this disgraceful, political gamesmanship again in another 6 months.

"It is also unfair to cut money from education. Education is the one chance for economic equality among our young people, and the one shot for them to reach their full potential.

"By making tax loopholes and tax breaks for Big Oil and corporate jets a priority over education, we are harming the economic engines across the country, and particularly in my district: our colleges and universities. University at Buffalo, Geneseo, SUNY Brockport, Erie and Genesee Community Colleges -- each is critical to our local economy and to the future of our students."

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