Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2015

Floor Speech

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Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of the Congressional Black Caucus's budget alternative to the extreme Republican-led Ryan budget. Congressional Republicans have offered up a budget that continues their legislative reign of terror completely undermining our Nation's future by protecting the wealthiest.

The CBC has put forth a ``real'' budget that finds responsible ways to reduce our Nation's deficit and recommits the Federal Government to eradicating poverty. In Los Angeles County, where my district is located, we have the highest poverty rate among all of the Californian counties. The CBC budget works to help districts like mine by making a $500 billion investment over three years into jobs to accelerate our Nation's economic recovery and put Americans back to work.

Many Californians find it difficult to make ends meet without the support of Federal safety net programs. Our budget strengthens and protects the social safety net by restoring cuts to the SNAP program, extending emergency unemployment insurance and increasing economic opportunities through targeted investments in education, infrastructure, affordable housing, domestic manufacturing, small businesses, and scientific research.

Mr. Chair, it is clear that the Republican Leadership is not serious about putting our Nation back on the track to prosperity. It is time for a change. Therefore, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do the right thing and make a true investment into our Nation's future by voting for the Congressional Black Caucus's budget alternative.

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