A Budget We Can’t Afford
May 21, 2008
‘American families can’t afford this budget. American job creators can’t afford this budget. And our economy can’t afford this budget’
Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor Wednesday regarding the Democrats’ budget:
“We have our differences here in the Senate but there are a few ideas that have wide bipartisan agreement: one is that we need to rein in federal spending, and another is that we need to do our part to ensure that middle class families keep more of the money they earn.
“But, as the Democrats’ latest budget shows, we have very different interpretations of what these ideas mean.
“Democrats said they wanted to raise taxes on the rich and keep taxes low for working families. But this budget would provide for an average tax hike of $2,300 on those earning as little as $31,850 and couples making $63,700 a year. For a little perspective, first year school teachers in Jefferson County, Kentucky, earn $35,982, and I wouldn’t consider them rich.
“With rising gas prices and economic concerns, middle class families are tightening their belts. Yet this budget would take more money out of the paychecks of these families to fill government coffers. At a time when all Americans are watching their spending, shouldn’t Washington be doing the same?
“Not according to this budget, which does nothing to address entitlement spending and sets a new record in non-emergency spending, topping the $1 trillion mark for the first time. And that’s not a record I welcome.
“So I’m a little confused as to why this budget is at odds with the Democrats’ promises of keeping taxes low for working families and putting a stop to wasteful Washington spending.
“It seems to me, that, if Congress was serious about letting Americans keep more of the money they earn, we would make tax relief permanent. If we were serious about reining in spending, we would pass a budget that calls for responsible growth. Instead, we are on the verge of passing a budget that hat goes in the opposite direction, contains the largest tax hike in U.S. history and sets a new record for spending.
“American families can’t afford this budget. American job creators can’t afford this budget. And our economy can’t afford this budget.
“I urge my colleagues to protect the American family’s budget, by voting against this budget.”
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