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dajoki's JournalGOP Rep Describes Pushing 300k Children Off Lunch Program... As "Trimming The Fat"
GOP Rep Describes Pushing 300k Children Off Lunch Program To Protect Military Spending As "Trimming The Fat"
http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/927070/gop_rep_describes_pushing_300k_children_off_lunch_program_to_protect_military_spending_as_%22trimming_the_fat%22/
Yesterday, House Republicans moved legislation forward aimed at preventing any reductions in military spending, even if that means cutting much needed programs for the nations poorest. The House Armed Services Committees bill provides $554 billion for the Pentagon $29 billion more than DOD had requested while the GOP-led Budget Committee packaged six bills that would slice $261 billion from food stamps, Medicaid, social services and other programs for struggling Americans.
Last night on Fox News, House Majoriy Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) claimed that the Republicans were just trimming the fat from the budget and getting rid of wasteful spending:
VAN SUSTEREN: But these cuts I mean, these cuts I mean, some of the cuts, I mean, just you know, there are theres money sitting in our government. Theres some fat that we can.. some of these cuts. I mean the fat is incredible!
MCCARTHY: Then you would support what were doing. Thats were doing committee by committee!
So what does McCarthy and the GOP consider budget fat? The New York Times today offered some details:
The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the bill would push 1.8 million people off food stamps and could cost 280,000 children their school lunch subsidies and 300,000 children their health insurance coverage through the federal and state Childrens Health Insurance Program. Elimination of the social services block grant to state and local governments would hit child abuse prevention programs, Meals on Wheels and child care.
A further 23 million would be affected by the repeal of the Social Services Block Grant, which helps fund child care and disability assistance to low-income Americans.
In fact, eliminating the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans would more than provide the savings the Republicans are seeking, twice over.
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