Hoyer Statement on Republican Fiscal Year 2011 Spending Levels
WASHINGTON, DC - Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement regarding the Republicans' proposed spending levels for fiscal year 2011:
“I believe it is essential that Washington return to fiscal responsibility and tackle our deep debt. While cutting spending is part of the solution, a responsible approach must recognize there are federal investments that can best help grow our economy and create jobs. The Republican plan to cut those job-creating investments is dangerously short-sighted. The economy is starting to move again, but Republican policies would put the brakes on it. And Republicans are ignoring the calls from business, education and other leaders to increase key investments in innovation, education, and infrastructure that are at the heart of economic growth and job creation. Just as few parents would immediately cut back on their children’s education to balance their household budget, America should not follow Republican proposals to shortchange the future.
“Rather than follow this misconceived Republican proposal, I believe that Congress should debate the hard choices that address the real sources of our debt: choices like deficit-reducing tax reform, scrutiny for waste in defense spending, and work to protect the solvency of our entitlement programs. But, as the president's bipartisan fiscal commission has persuasively argued, immediate, deep cuts would ‘interfere with the ongoing economic recovery.’ That is just what today’s Republican proposal would do, and certainly not what the American people want us to do. I hope we will be able to work together to solve our fiscal challenges.”
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