Take action on the Federal Budget

3/18/13

Federal Budget Update

In the days ahead this week, the House and Senate are each expected to pass a budget resolution, a blueprint for spending and savings for committees to follow as they consider appropriations and tax measures later this year.

House Budget Committee Chairman, Paul Ryan (R-WI), drafted a plan to balance the budget over the next 10 years by

• cutting spending by $4.6 trillion;
• reforming the tax code;
• turning the SNAP program (formerly Food Stamps) into a block grant and cutting it by $135 billion; and eliminating the 2010 health care law.
• significantly cut funding for programs like child care assistance and Head Start, which help women work and children learn.

The Ryan plan, “The Path to Prosperity: A Responsible, Balanced Budget,” was approved by the Budget Committee on a party-line vote. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 66 percent of the savings in the House plan come from budget cuts to programs assisting low income families.

Senate Budget Committee Chairwoman, Patty Murray (D-WA), drafted a plan to reduce spending over the next 10 years by $1.85 trillion that calls for replacing the sequester, reducing spending by $975 billion and raising revenue by $975 billion over 10 years. The Murray plan, “Foundation for Growth: Restoring the Promise of American Opportunity,” also includes reserve fund language for child care; pre-kindergarten; and home visiting. Reserve funds are used to place a marker that if legislation in those areas were to be considered later this Congress, the Budget Committee “reserves the ability” to reallocate budget allocations so that such legislation would not be subject to a point of order. These reserve funds do not have money attached to them, but conceptually it is great news that the Senate budget resolution would preserve the right to proceed to legislation on these issues later this year. During committee consideration, an amendment by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) was adopted that calls for an increase in the minimum wage. The Murray plan was approved by the Budget Committee on a party-line vote.

The Coalition on Human Needs has sent letters to the House and Senate, opposing the Ryan budget and supporting the Murray budget. See them here:  CHN House Budget Letter  -  CHN Senate Budget Letter

You can send your own letters:  click here 

Remember, ACTION is needed now! The House of Representatives could vote as early as tomorrow on the Ryan budget. Tell your Representative to vote NO on the Ryan Budget.

Thank you for taking action!

Sincerely,

Jessica

Jessica Klos Shapiro

Policy Associate

(518) 690-4217 ex. 32