Congressional Black Caucus Statement on Republican Congress Missing Budget Deadline

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressional Black Caucus Chairman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) made the following statement after House Republicans missed the April 15th budget deadline:

“The Republican Leadership in the House have chosen the route of inaction and failed to present a 2017 budget for Congress to debate and consider. But it is more alarming that Speaker Ryan’s ‘Road to Ruin’ proposed cuts that were not deep enough for a majority of his party to agree on. His proposal to end the Medicare guarantee and execute $6.5 trillion in cuts demonstrates Congressional Republicans’ disdain for the social safety net that so many Americans depend on.

“The budget is supposed to provide direction on how we can plan to fund the federal government in the upcoming year, but the missed deadline will make it that much harder for a plan to be vetted, debated, and decided on by Congress. We will continue to fight for a budget that reflects the values of the American people and one that will emphasize our long-standing commitment to eradicating poverty in America by increasing economic opportunities through investments in education, infrastructure, affordable housing, small business, and job training. We must protect and strengthen the social safety net, which will stop millions of families from sinking deeper into poverty.”