Republican Spending Bill Threatens America’s Future

Issue Report
For Immediate Release:
2011-02-15T00:00:00

“…Republicans, who now dominate the House, are obsessed with making indiscriminate short-term cuts... The Republican cuts would eviscerate vital government functions while not having any lasting impact on the deficit.... Mr. Obama has managed to cut spending while preserving important government duties. That approach is in stark contrast to Congressional Republicans, who are determined to cut spending deeply, no matter the consequences.”
[NY Times, 02/15/11]

This week, the House is considering the Republican Spending Bill, a short-sighted and irresponsible proposal that arbitrarily cuts critical investments that grow the economy and create. Democrats agree with Republicans that spending cuts are necessary, but their plan does not make the tough and careful choices needed to cut spending while investing in our future. The Republican Spending Bill stands in strong contrast to President Obama’s budget because it does not make those choices:
 

President Obama’s budget makes critical investments that allow our nation to:The Republican Spending Bill harms economic growth and job creation by making irresponsible spending cuts:
OUT-EDUCATE our competitors and build a competitive workforce.
  • More than 200,000 children kicked out of Head Start and thousands of teachers would lose their jobs
  • $800 reduction per student in the maximum Pell Grant award
OUT-INNOVATE our competitors and keep our nation the world leader in cutting-edge fields.
  • 20,000 fewer researchers supported at the National Science Foundation
  • $1.4 billion reduction in science and energy research to spur clean energy economy of the future
  • $2.5 billion in cuts to the National Institutes of Health, representing a significant setback in cancer and other disease research
OUT-BUILD our competitors and strengthen infrastructure that is critical for companies to grow.
  • Rescinds $2.5 billion for high-speed rail projects already awarded
  •  Loss of 25,000 new construction jobs and the cancellation of 76 projects in 40 states
  • $234 million in cuts to improve our nation’s air traffic control system
And keeps American families safe with investments in PUBLIC SAFETY.
 
  • 1,330 fewer cops on the beat by eliminating the COPS hiring program
  • 2,400 fewer firefighters on the job protecting their communities by eliminating funding for SAFER grants

Not only does the Republican Spending Bill threaten economic growth and job creation, but it’s made worse by their other policies that pave the way for adding nearly $5 trillion to the deficit. The President's budget takes steps to get to a more sustainable fiscal position in the medium term, and makes clear his desire to work in a bipartisan way to solve our long-term fiscal challenges. Democrats are focused on addressing the real sources of our deficit and finding common ground so that we can restore fiscal responsibility.

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