Israel: Millionaire Tax Cut Paid for By Compromising Senior Healthcare

April 15, 2011
Dear Editor, Northport Patch:

(Editor's note: Israel released this prior to the federal budget vote Friday. A statement from him following the succesful Republican vote of the so-called Ryan Budget follows this letter.)

This week, the House will vote on the Republican budget – a plan that gives millionaires a $100,000 tax break and seniors a $12,500 medical bill.

 The Republican budget plan ends Medicare as we know it, gives away billions of dollars in tax subsidies to Big Oil, and raises college costs for nearly 10 million students.

 I agree with many of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle – we must make cuts in order to reduce our national deficit and stabilize our country’s long-term financial security. But I believe that there are ways to responsibly manage our deficit that don’t place the burden on our seniors and middle class and working families.

Yesterday, I voted for bipartisan legislation that prevents any government shutdown, funds the government for the remainder of the fiscal year, and cuts $38 billion in spending. Although I do not agree with every cut and provision, getting a hold of our deficit will require compromise and shared sacrifice from all of us.

For more information, please visit my website at http://israel.house.gov.

Sincerely,
U.S. Representative Steve Israel,
D-Huntington

On Friday, the House of Representatives passed H. Con. Res. 34, the House Republican budget proposal. Rep. Steve Israel (D – New York) released the following statement:

Every budget has a bottom line. The bottom line in the Republican budget is if you make over $1 million a year, you get a $100,000 tax cut. And if you’re a senior, you get a $12,500 medical bill. If you make over a million dollars, you won the lottery. If you’re a senior, you lose your Medicare.