Washington, D.C. – Dean of the United States House of Representatives, John D. Dingell (D-MI15) issued the following statement today denouncing the cuts proposed by the House Republicans in the Continuing Resolution (CR), which would fund the federal government for the seven months remaining in the fiscal year:

“All Members of Congress can agree that we must confront our budget and deficit.  However, just as the economy and job growth are beginning to pick up, the extreme funding cuts as proposed by House Republicans would disrupt even the subtle progress we are seeing.  Slamming on the brakes so quickly would halt the advancements we have made over the past two years and would actually increase the deficit by slowing economic growth.

“House Republicans plan to make cuts based on a budget that was never voted on, abdicating their responsibility to address the impact of underfunding vital programs.  Politics aside, cuts of this magnitude would be unhealthy, untimely, and provide uncertainty for our nation as we try to get back on our feet. 

“As proposed, the CR would leave those hit hardest by the recession without a lifeline  it would cut millions from food assistance to low-income women and children, millions from assistance for the poor to heat their homes, and millions from state development grants that combat poverty.  The CR would also threaten security on our streets by cutting millions from funding for state and local policing activities to fight drugs, gangs, and terrorism.  Moreover, it would hinder job creation when we need it most by cutting billions from job training programs, over a billion from construction projects, and millions from economic development grants that foster collaboration and innovation.  Critical conservation programs like the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the North American Wetland Conservation Act – all of which are solid, bipartisan programs – would either be completely or effectively gutted. 

“Instead of such draconian cuts, I believe that with wise and targeted federal investments combined with precise and rational spending cuts, we not only can continue to enhance our economic recovery and global competitiveness, but also begin to considerably pay down our unsustainable federal debt.  I stand ready to work with my colleagues and the President to find responsible and effective ways to trim the budget, but I refuse to permit my Republican colleagues to bring our economic recovery to a standstill. ”

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