Republicans are fast-tracking the Republican Rip-Off

Republicans are using a procedural tool called "reconciliation" to fast-track the Republican Rip-Off budget; the budget that is going to cut access to health care through Medicaid, nutritional food, and ultimately use those dollars to pay for a five trillion dollar tax cut for the richest corporations and Americans. The way Republicans are choosing to move forward right now is a departure from the regular process, and we have to keep fighting for our values here in Northwest Washington.

As part of the reconciliation process, I began the fight for our values as the ranking member on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Unfortunately, the work we had to do as a committee was a departure from the regular, bipartisan work.

Everyone on this committee agrees we need to support the Coast Guard, improve our air traffic control system, and keep surface transportation investments going. Unfortunately, the Republicans' reckless budget cuts this committee off at the knees as we look to continue historic funding for transportation, water infrastructure, clean energy, and stronger, healthier communities.

Me and my fellow Democrats on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee voted no against the Transportation part of the reconciliation process because of all the harm it will do to hard-working Americans. There will be other opportunities in the future to work on transportation in a bipartisan manner, as we regularly do.

More soon,

Rick