Capitol Words a project of the Sunlight Foundation

Rep. Jim Himes

Madam Speaker, as I reflect on where this country has been in the last 10 years, I see two wars fought at the cost of thousands of lives and $2 to $3 trillion; tax cuts during a time of war--something unprecedented in this country's history--and now we're seeing more of the same: a Republican budget that would increase spending on defense, despite the fact that we spend more than every other country combined on defense, and would provide tax cuts to the very wealthiest in this country. The Office of Management and Budget estimates that millionaires will see $150,000 in tax cuts with this budget.

So who pays? Anybody who relies on medical research for a cure or to stay healthy will pay. Our education will pay. Pell Grants and Head Start for poor children to get educated will be gutted. Medicare will pay. Medicaid will pay. In my district where highways and railways are critical, investment in those things will be gutted. We all pay if this budget becomes law. I urge--implore--my colleagues to reject the Republican budget.