Waters on the House Republican FY 2019 Budget Proposal

The House GOP Budget Prioritizes One Constituency: the Wealthiest 1%

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee, issued the following statement after the House Republican Conference revealed its fiscal year 2019 budget proposal:

"Budget proposals are a statement of the federal government's values and priorities. As such, House Republicans' fiscal year 2019 proposal sends an unambiguously clear message to the American people: their top priority is advancing the interests of the wealthiest one percent over the needs of working families, seniors, veterans, and the most vulnerable among us.

"After selling out the middle class with a shameful tax scam law that adds more than $2 trillion to the federal deficit, House Republicans have set their sights on destroying the federal safety net in order to make up for their devious giveaway to the rich. Their outrageous and immoral fiscal year 2019 budget proposal would cut $537 billion from Medicare, $1.5 trillion from Medicaid, and $2.6 trillion from other anti-poverty programs that provide housing, nutrition, health services, and education to Americans throughout the country. Furthermore, the Republican proposal lays the groundwork for another cruel attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), which would strip health coverage from millions of Americans.[1]

"For nearly 18 months, Republicans, who have control of both the legislative and executive branches of government, have proven time and time again that their party is both unable to govern and unwilling to do what is in the best interest of the American people. I not only oppose this budget, but I condemn any and all efforts by the president and Congressional Republicans to line the pockets of the rich while denying seniors, veterans, working families, and the poor the quality of life they deserve."

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