Yesterday, Rep. Yvette D. Clarke voted against H.R. 2560, the Cut, Cap and Balance Act.  She released the following statement:

“It is unfortunate that the Republican Majority in the House of Representatives is more concerned about protecting tax cuts for multi-millionaires and billionaires rather than addressing the most important task at hand, creating jobs.  Our responsibility is ensuring that we protect the economic stability of this country and its people,” stated Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke.

“Today I met with Speaker Pelosi and other Democratic members to discuss our concern about the effect the budget cuts will have on Medicare and Medicaid.  Specifically I discussed the importance of the Graduate Medical Education (GME) reimbursement to New York,” added Rep. Yvette D. Clarke.  “One out of every five doctors is trained in New York.  If these funds were to be cut, it would negatively impact New York city hospitals, devastate New York’s already fragile economy, as well as adversely impact healthcare across the nation.  Know that I am fighting to protect these funds.”

If made into law, H. R. 2560 would:

            • require immediate spending cuts of $111 billion in FY 2012, despite the 
                current  9.2% unemployment;
            • result in the loss of 700,000 jobs;
            • end the Medicare guarantee; and much more.

“Republicans insist on using the debt ceiling limit as a political bargaining tool to make more cuts to important social safety net programs.  With the United States set to default in nearly 2 weeks, the debt ceiling should be our immediate concern.  We need to address raising the debt ceiling separately to ensure our nation does not default on its bill.  Let us take care of the business for the American people and focus on creating jobs,” concluded Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke.

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