Tenney joins in passing budget resolution with big tax cuts, reductions in federal spending
Morelle says Republicans determined to cut healthcare programs to fund tax cuts for the wealthy
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney joined other Republicans on Tuesday in narrowly passed budget resolution with $4.5 trillion in tax cuts and $2 trillion in reduced federal spending over the next decade.
The resolution was approved 217 to 215. Only one Republican, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, opposed it. He said it adds to the federal deficit.
Tenney issued this statement on Tuesday night:
“House Republicans took the first step today toward delivering on our promise to the American people: to craft a fiscally responsible budget that reins in out-of-control spending and lowers costs for hardworking families. With the national debt projected to reach $59 trillion by 2035, it is imperative that we curb reckless government spending. This resolution establishes a framework for Congress to implement at least $1.2 trillion in spending cuts, putting our nation on a path toward fiscal stability.
“This legislation also enables Congress to advance President Trump’s policy agenda, including securing our borders, reversing the Biden-Harris administration’s harmful energy policies, strengthening our national defense, and most importantly, building on the success of President Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). Time is quickly running out to extend TCJA’s pro-family, pro-worker, and pro-growth tax provisions, many of which are set to expire at the end of the year.
“Passing a comprehensive tax package as soon as possible is critical to preserving historic tax cuts for small businesses and working families. If Congress fails to act, taxpayers in NY-24 will face a 25% tax hike, and nearly 6 million jobs could be lost nationwide.
“By passing this resolution today, we are moving a step closer to ensuring the Trump administration is able to implement the America First Agenda that Americans overwhelmingly voted for last November.”
Congressman Joe Morelle, a Democrat from Rochester, was among the no votrs. No Democrats backed the tax resolution.
Morelle, whose district used to include part of Orleans County, delivered remarks on House floor, denouncing the GOP’s budget proposal saying Republicans and President Donald Trump are going to do massive cuts to healthcare programs to fund tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires.
Morelle’s remarks include:
“I rise today in strong opposition to this budget resolution.
“As an Appropriations Committee member, thoughtful consideration of government spending is a responsibility I don’t take lightly.
“I believe every hard-earned taxpayer dollar must work for all Americans—not fuel widely irresponsible economic theory.
“I’d like to think my colleagues on the other side of the aisle believe the same thing, given the rhetoric we’ve all heard over the last several years.
“So, I encourage the American people to watch what House Republicans do, not what they say.
“Remarkably, instead of lowering costs, this reckless budget resolution bestows tax cuts for the wealthiest one percent of Americans while jeopardizing essential healthcare and nutrition programs.
“For this reason, I strongly oppose the budget resolution authored by House Republicans.
“Shockingly, gutting programs our communities rely on isn’t harmful enough, because this resolution will also require taxpayers to borrow another $1.6 trillion over the next ten years.
“Our nation’s founders vested in the House of Representatives a unique set of powers to make it responsive to the will of the people.
“The Father of our Constitution, James Madison, said the House should have ‘immediate dependence on, and intimate sympathy with, the people.’
“House Republicans demonstrate no dependence on nor sympathy with the American people.
“I urge my colleagues to reject this handout to millionaires and billionaires, and work on a budget that instead advances the interests of American families.”
