Costa Statement on House Budget Resolution Vote

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16) issued the following statement today after the U.S. House of Representatives voted on House Continuing Resolution 71 and other alternative budget proposals, each of which would establish the federal budget for fiscal year 2018 and position budgetary levels for fiscal years 2019 through 2027:

"Today, the House voted on a number of budget alternatives that do not strike the needed balance between fiscal responsibility and meeting the needs of our most vulnerable citizens. The alternatives proposed by members of the Democratic Party do little to address our nation's unsustainable and growing debt, while the proposed cuts in the Republican budget threaten the health care of over 121,000 individuals in our district alone and require the Agriculture Committee to cut $10billion from its programs. The Republican budget also calls for changes that will make fewer low-income students eligible for Pell grants and fewer of our disabled eligible for Social Security disability insurance. Although the resolution voted on today includes some positive reforms to our budget process, these positive process reforms do not outweigh the negative impact the budget itself will have on our Valley and our country.

"I have always, and will always, stand for fiscal responsibility, which means we must reduce our deficit and our debt, and we cannot abandon those who need our help. Our votes in Congress reflect our values, and my votes today were informed by my adamant and unmovable support for real fiscal responsibility. I will continue to work for fiscally-responsible policies and budgets, and I welcome my colleagues – from both sides of the aisle – to join me in putting our country back on the right budgetary and financial track, while not abandoning our neighbors who need our help."

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