Senator Harris Statement on Nomination of Mick Mulvaney

Statement

U.S. Senator Kamala D. Harris (D-CA), a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs and Senate Budget Committee, today issued the following statement on the nomination of U.S. Rep. Mick Mulvaney to lead the Director of the Office of Management and Budget:

"America's values are reflected in our budget, including whether we live up to the promises we've made to our most vulnerable and whether we pay our bills. I appreciate Congressman Mick Mulvaney's responsiveness in both his confirmation hearings and private meeting with me, and that he will keep an open mind on issues we discussed, like prompt disaster relief. However, due to his positions on issues that would jeopardize the livelihood and well-being of millions of Californians, I cannot support his nomination.

"I remain deeply concerned by Congressman Mulvaney's enthusiastic support for dramatically altering Social Security and Medicare. At his hearing, Congressman Mulvaney reaffirmed his support for cutting Medicare and raising the retirement age for Social Security. There are millions of Californians who have paid into the system for decades and they deserve the benefits they've earned. When I asked him if he would commit to providing emergency disaster relief to Californians if needed without demanding spending cuts in return he refused to do so. In addition, Congressman Mulvaney's long record of threatening the full faith and credit of the United States by not paying our bills is a risk to families with mortgages and car loans who rely on our country's stable credit rating.

"Despite these reservations, if Congressman Mulvaney is confirmed, I will work with him through my role on Senate Budget Committee to address the appropriation needs for California in times of crisis and at rest."

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