WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressional Progressive Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) and Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), and First Vice Chair Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI), along with 28 CPC Members sent a letter to House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen and Ranking Member Nita Lowey asking for a hearing on a Republican proposal that outlined $18 billion in cuts for the remainder of fiscal year 2017. Read the full text of the letter below and here.
The Honorable Rodney Frelinghuysen
Chairman
House Committee on Appropriations
H-305, The Capitol
Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable Nita Lowey
Ranking Member
House Committee on Appropriations
H-305, The Capitol
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Chairman Frelinghuysen and Ranking Member Lowey:
We write to request a full committee hearing on the impacts of a Republican proposal outlining nearly $18 billion in cuts to programs that help ensure the health, safety, and well-being of the American people. The plan proposes cuts for the remainder of fiscal year 2017 and appears to have been authored by the Trump Administration. These cuts would hurt the people President Trump promised to protect and would be met with overwhelming opposition—but only if Americans know they are under consideration.
If enacted, this proposal would set back support for lifesaving drugs through a $1.2 billion cut to the National Institutes of Health. Students already struggling with the high cost of college would lose $1.3 billion in Pell Grant funding. A $1.4 billion cut to Community Development Block Grants would mean less affordable housing for families across our country. Cuts to rural business development grants would make it harder for rural business people to start new companies and create jobs in their communities. And, with the opioid epidemic taking lives across the country, this plan would cut $100 million from the agency that funds state efforts to combat this public health crisis.
If the Republican Majority wants to defund programs that save lives and provide Americans with economic security and opportunity, the Majority ought to at least defend these ideas in the light of day. With only a few legislative days until government funding runs out, we call on you to schedule this hearing as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Keith Ellison (D-MN), Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Matt Cartwright (D-PA), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Michael E. Capuano (D-MA), Alan S. Lowenthal (D-CA), John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY), Brenda L. Lawrence (D-MI), Jared Huffman (D-CA), John Lewis (D-GA), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (D-GA), James P. McGovern (D-MA), Danny K. Davis (D-IL), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Peter Welch (D-VT), Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL), Maxine Waters (D-CA), Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Ted W. Lieu (D-CA), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Wm. Lacy Clay (D-MO), and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ)
Members of Congress
The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) is the largest caucus within the House Democratic Caucus, with over 70 members standing up for progressive ideals in Washington and throughout the country. Since 1991, the CPC has advocated for progressive policies that prioritize working Americans over corporate interests, fight economic and social inequality, and promote civil liberties. The CPC champions progressive policy solutions like comprehensive immigration reform, a $15 national minimum wage, fair trade, gun violence reform, debt-free college, and making the federal government a Model Employer.
