Tim Kaine: Comments on House welfare, budget votes

U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine released the following statement today on action taken in the House of Representatives this week regarding food assistance and the continuing resolution:

“This week, the United States House of Representatives voted to slash food assistance to poor families and also defund the Affordable Care Act. Many in that body are willing to shut down the government because they are opposed to a health care law that Congress passed, that the President signed, that the Supreme Court affirmed and that has survived more than 40 Congressional repeal votes. And some are threatening to repudiate the debt resulting from their own spending bills in a manner guaranteed to hurt the American economy.

“Now it is time for the Senate to respond. Let me be clear: In the days to come, I will do all in my power to fight against a government shutdown. I will do all in my power to fight against massive cuts to food assistance for poor Americans. I will do all in my power to block efforts to strip health benefits away from American children, workers and seniors. I will do all in my power to stop those proposing to default on our fiscal obligations for the first time in American history.

“I will work with Virginians and with any legislator of any party to responsibly operate and reform the government of the greatest nation on earth and reject misguided efforts to undermine our civic institutions and responsibilities.”