Discussion · House of Representatives
Brendan F. Boyle Democrat
“I want the House to vote against this budget bill. It does nothing to lower the cost of food, housing, or healthcare for working families. Instead, it adds nearly $100 billion to the debt, restricts voting, and gives President Trump money to keep fighting an unnecessary war that is raising prices and getting American troops killed.”
“Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I will correct the Record. Moments ago, the distinguished chairman of the Budget Committee referenced a letter from CBO on June 24, which he alleges, according to him, cited that the only people who lost their Medicaid coverage because of the bill they passed last summer were illegals. That is not at all what the letter says. I have it here in front of me, and I will be happy to submit it to the Record at the end of this debate. Mr. Chairman, it is quite clear, however, that what CBO has found is that the bill they passed last summer, reconciliation 1.0, will kick more than 15 million Americans off of their healthcare coverage. Already, 8 million have lost their healthcare coverage with at least another 7 million to go. This is a healthcare crisis in this country. It was entirely created by the other side. Mr. Chairman, I thank all of the speakers who we have heard from in this debate for their comments. Mr. Chair, the choice could not be more clear. The American people asked us to lower their costs. Instead, this Republican majority has delivered higher prices, less healthcare, more debt, and now tens of billions of dollars for a reckless and unnecessary war. This reconciliation effort does nothing to lower the cost of groceries or the cost of housing, healthcare, energy, or gas. Not one provision provides meaningful relief to working families. They don’t even attempt to do so. There is not one word on any of the things I just cited. What it does do, however, is add nearly $100 billion to the deficit, make new voting restrictions, and hand President Trump another massive check to continue a war that is driving up prices here at home and exacting a devastating human toll. Sadly, three American servicemembers lost their lives this past weekend, bringing the total number killed in this conflict to 18. We mourn them. I think I can speak for the entire House when I say this. We mourn them. We honor their service and sacrifice, and we keep their families and loved ones in our thoughts. Yet, the best way to honor their memory and to protect the brave men and women who are still serving our country is not to continue sending them into harm’s way without a coherent strategy, a clear objective, and an achievable endgame. It is to end this war that President Trump has so badly botched. Democrats stand ready to work with anyone serious about lowering costs and improving the lives of the American people. This resolution does neither. We have a gentleman in the White House who campaigned on the slogan: America First. Does the Chair remember that? Their bill in front of us is America last. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no,’’ and I yield back the balance of my time.”
Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I will correct the Record. Moments ago, the distinguished chairman of the Budget Committee referenced a letter from CBO on June 24, which he alleges, according to him, cited that the only people who lost their Medicaid coverage because of the bill they passed last summer were illegals. That is not at all what the letter says. I have it here in front of me, and I will be happy to submit it to the Record at the end of this debate. Mr. Chairman, it is quite clear, however, that what CBO has found is that the bill they passed last summer, reconciliation 1.0, will kick more than 15 million Americans off of their healthcare coverage. Already, 8 million have lost their healthcare coverage with at least another 7 million to go. This is a healthcare crisis in this country. It was entirely created by the other side. Mr. Chairman, I thank all of the speakers who we have heard from in this debate for their comments. Mr. Chair, the choice could not be more clear. The American people asked us to lower their costs. Instead, this Republican majority has delivered higher prices, less healthcare, more debt, and now tens of billions of dollars for a reckless and unnecessary war. This reconciliation effort does nothing to lower the cost of groceries or the cost of housing, healthcare, energy, or gas. Not one provision provides meaningful relief to working families. They don’t even attempt to do so. There is not one word on any of the things I just cited. What it does do, however, is add nearly $100 billion to the deficit, make new voting restrictions, and hand President Trump another massive check to continue a war that is driving up prices here at home and exacting a devastating human toll. Sadly, three American servicemembers lost their lives this past weekend, bringing the total number killed in this conflict to 18. We mourn them. I think I can speak for the entire House when I say this. We mourn them. We honor their service and sacrifice, and we keep their families and loved ones in our thoughts. Yet, the best way to honor their memory and to protect the brave men and women who are still serving our country is not to continue sending them into harm’s way without a coherent strategy, a clear objective, and an achievable endgame. It is to end this war that President Trump has so badly botched. Democrats stand ready to work with anyone serious about lowering costs and improving the lives of the American people. This resolution does neither. We have a gentleman in the White House who campaigned on the slogan: America First. Does the Chair remember that? Their bill in front of us is America last. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no,’’ and I yield back the balance of my time.