Scott Opposes Republican Budget

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the House of Representatives passed the House Republican Budget, H. Con. Res. 112, by a vote of 228 to 191 (Roll Call No. 151). Voting No, Congressman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement:

"The budget passed by the House today is not a credible plan to reduce our deficit. The fine print of the Republican Budget includes unspecified instructions to the Ways and Means Committee to find $4 trillion in new revenues and unspecified instructions to the Appropriations Committee to find spending cuts in the range of almost a $1 trillion. In light of the fact that the Super Committee failed to find $1.2 trillion in cuts or revenues, it is unlikely that anybody will figure how to fill this $5 trillion hole in the Republican Budget. And to add insult to injury, the Republican Budget only reduces our long term debt by completely dismantling the Medicare guarantee, forcing seniors to contribute more to their health care expenses. This is neither a credible nor a responsible plan to reduce our deficit.

"Last night, the House of Representatives considered several alternative budgets to the Republican Budget, including one offered by the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) of which I was the primary author. The CBC Budget reduced the deficit over the next decade an additional $769 billion compared to the Republican Budget, without jeopardizing Social Security, turning Medicaid into a block grant or dismantling the Medicare guarantee. During this budget debate, the fundamental choice has been between millionaires and Medicare. The Republican Budget chose millionaires. We chose Medicare."

While the CBC Budget received the support of a majority of the House Democratic Caucus, the amendment failed by a vote of 107-317 (Roll Call No. 144). To read more about the CBC Budget Alternative, click here. To watch Congressman Scott speak in favor of the CBC Budget during last night's floor debate, click here.

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