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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Joseph Rendeiro
(202) 776-1566
jrendeiro@nclr.org
WASHINGTON, D.C.—This week, both the Senate and House of Representatives are expected to vote on their respective budget proposals. Although both are likely to pass in their respective chambers, the bills’ significant and striking differences make it unlikely that Congress will agree to a final bill in the conference process. As a result, the continuing resolutions passed in each chamber will be conferenced and potentially result in the sequester becoming the de facto budget for Fiscal Year 2013. NCLR (National Council of La Raza) strongly urges Congress to replace the sequester before the Easter/Passover recess and end the arbitrary cuts that will gut funding for critical programs in healthcare, education, workforce training and housing.
“In the last election, Latino voters made it abundantly clear that they are primarily concerned with our economy and job creation and they expect Washington to invest in education and health programs that will ensure a promising future for our children,” said Janet Murguía, President and CEO of NCLR. “Yet, months later, we are looking at a potential budget that does the exact opposite of what our community has advocated for.”
“The sequester must be replaced.” Murguía continued. “It does not generate revenue and will cost the country hundreds of thousands of jobs—employment that the Hispanic community desperately needs. Latino families have already paid into deficit reduction through cuts from the Budget Control Act of 2011 and should not have to once again shoulder a disproportionate amount of the deficit reduction burden due to cuts in critical programs that keep our community and children healthy. Congress must come to a consensus on a budget that grows the economy, invests in the future and protects vulnerable people—allowing the sequestration cuts to continue is not the answer.”
NCLR—the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States—works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. For more information on NCLR, please visit www.nclr.org or follow along on Facebook and Twitter.
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