WASHINGTON – Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) Co-Chairs Reps. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) issued the following statement today as the House Budget Committee held a markup of Rep. Paul Ryan’s FY2015 budget proposal:
“Chairman Ryan’s budget proposal for 2015 hurts working Americans who are fighting every day to put food on the table. Nearly 20 million Americans are looking for work or underemployed. Many more are in need of a stable, better-paying job. A budget that doesn’t address the jobs crisis isn’t a serious proposal.
“According to the Congressional Budget Office, Chairman Ryan’s plan would cost jobs Americans need now. The Economic Policy Institute finds the economy would lose 1.1 million jobs in 2015 and 3 million jobs in 2016 under Chairman Ryan’s budget proposal. The Progressive Caucus Better Off Budget is a better way forward. It creates 8.8 million jobs by 2017 and includes $4 trillion in deficit reduction. The Better Off Budget returns our economy to its full potential, creates 8.8 million jobs and restores emergency assistance for the long-term unemployed. These are what a budget looks like when it addresses immediate, real-world needs instead of checking ideological boxes.
“Our budget invests $820 billion in infrastructure to rebuild our crumbling roads and bridges, modernizing our country and paying dividends for the economy and the national job market. The Better Off Budget ends corporate tax giveaways like loopholes for jets and excessive CEO bonuses. Chairman Ryan’s plan leaves Americans jobless and worse off. The Progressive Caucus Better Off Budget creates millions of good jobs and leaves the whole country better off.
“Next week, Members of Congress will choose between a budget that creates 8.8 million jobs and a budget that cuts 3 million jobs. We don’t think it’s a tough decision.”
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