Washington, D.C. – The following is a statement issued by the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union:
“”The UFCW commends the U.S. Senate for rejecting Rep. Paul Ryan’s budget plan yesterday. This reckless plan shows how disconnected Republicans in Congress are from hard working Americans by attempting to balance the budget on the backs of the poor and middle class, end Medicare as we know it, and cut Medicaid and other programs that serve the poor. To add insult to injury, this plan would lower tax rates on the rich and corporations and actually increase our national debt over the next ten years.
“”At a time when millions of Americans are still looking for work, home prices are falling, oil and food prices are rising and wages have stagnated, the Republican budget plan would lead to fewer jobs and jeopardize our country’s ability to recover from the biggest economic downturn since the Great Depression. These cuts would also cause unnecessary suffering and further weaken Americans’ confidence in their government at a time when many believe they will never achieve the American dream of owning a home, sending their children to college or retiring comfortably.
“”The UFCW will continue to fight any action by lawmakers who want to protect the wealthy few at the expense of the poor and middle class. We urge President Obama and the Democratic Party to continue to fight for a budget that rebuilds our economy, creates good jobs, revives America’s middle class and protects our most vulnerable citizens.””