House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today on the House Democratic Budget Alternative for Fiscal Year 2016:
"The House Democratic budget proposal unveiled today by Ranking Member Van Hollen is a responsible alternative to Republicans' short-sighted proposal to disinvest in America's future while pursuing a strategy of selective sequestration. While the Republican budget embraces the draconian sequester caps on domestic investment and hypocritically uses gimmicks to get around them for Pentagon spending, the Democratic alternative replaces both sides of sequestration with commonsense investment in long-term growth and economic competitiveness that will help create jobs and boost wages for American workers.
"Americans deserve a budget that recognizes the importance of keeping our nation safe while investing in the things that drive our economy forward, such as rebuilding infrastructure, strengthening education, and supporting cutting-edge research and innovation. They also expect Congress to be honest with them about the costs of these investments and how to pay for them -- something the Republican budget fails to do by employing magic asterisks to hide unspecified cuts to programs that combat poverty and grow our economy. Unlike the budget alternative introduced by Mr. Van Hollen, the Republican budget would turn Medicare into a voucher program, repeal the Affordable Care Act, and jeopardize the long-term fiscal standing of our country. We cannot afford to shortchange our children and grandchildren with a budget that stifles the growth of jobs and opportunities that grow our middle class.
"Instead of pursuing yet another partisan budget that embraces -- and cuts deeper than -- sequestration caps on the domestic side, Republicans ought to work with Democrats to reach a responsible, bipartisan compromise that can serve as a blueprint for growth. I join in thanking Mr. Van Hollen and Budget Committee Democrats for their hard work on a budget alternative that invests in America's future in a fiscally responsible way."