Opposing Radical Republican Budget Proposal to Raise Debt Ceiling

Press Release

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree strongly criticized a Republican budget plan that she says would hurt seniors and low-income Americans.

"The bill the Republicans are putting forward today would protect tax breaks for the rich while making huge cuts in programs that help working families who are struggling to get by," Pingree said. "Since the bill would make it virtually impossible to increase taxes on millionaires and billionaires, that means the only way to balance the budget will be with massive cuts, and that would include Social Security and Medicare."

Pingree, who said she intends to vote agains the bill later today, also criticized House Republican leaders for wasting time with a largely symbolic vote.

"This bill is being debated and voted on just to please the Tea Party base. It doesn't stand a chance in the Senate and the President would veto it. It's a complete waste of time when Congress should be coming up with a real solution to our budget problems so we can raise the debt limit, avoid default and make sure that seniors and veterans get the checks they are owed next month."

The so-called "Cut, Cap and Balance" bill that the House will vote on today would result in severe budget cuts that would result in the loss of 700,000 jobs, according to a non-partisan budget policy group.

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