Post by bot on Feb 2, 2015 7:30:39 GMT -5
House Republicans' Rough First Month Characterized by Internal Divisions, Partisan Legislation, Lack of Focus on the Issues that Matter
MESSAGE FROM THE DEMOCRATIC WHIP
As the first month of the 114th Congress comes to a close, it is disappointing that House Republicans have wasted time on partisan legislation that doesn’t advance the priorities of the American people. In week one, Republicans had a divisive vote over the re-election of Speaker Boehner. In week two, they passed partisan legislation that threatens funding for the Department of Homeland Security and puts our national security at risk. In week three, they pulled from consideration an extreme bill to roll back women’s health care choices after their own Members expressed opposition – only to replace it with another one. This week, they planned to vote on a partisan bill that militarizes our Southwestern border and does nothing to address our nation’s broken immigration system, until they had to pull it from consideration due to divisions in their party.
Unfortunately, House Republicans will continue this pattern of partisanship next week by holding their 56th vote to repeal or undermine the Affordable Care Act. Over 9.5 million Americans nationwide have enrolled in quality, affordable health care plans for 2015, and House Democrats are committed to defending the patient protections and cost savings that health care reform has brought families.
Also next week, the President will release his budget proposal. Many of the elements expected in his budget were addressed in last week's State of the Union address. Budgets reflect our values, and I expect the President's budget to show our commitment to the middle class and all those who aspire to it. At the same time, a report this week by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office showed that we cannot ignore the drivers of our long-term, structural debt. As the budget process begins, I hope that both parties can work together on a bipartisan basis to address our long-term fiscal outlook in a way that is balanced and responsible and focuses on giving working families the security they need.