WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement after the Senate passed a rescissions package that cut roughly $9 billion from federal spending. The bill passed 51-48, with every Democrat opposing the bill:
“Tonight, Republicans in the Senate voted to further weaken our nation’s reputation as a good and reliable partner.
“This is not about tackling our national debt. After all, it’s a drop in the bucket compared to the trillions of dollars in tax breaks for the wealthy and increased debt that these same Republican senators passed just days ago. Cutting foreign aid and disaster assistance leaves people in dire situations across the world to fend for themselves or walk into the arms of China, Russia, and terrorists who seek to exploit them.
“For decades, when the world cried out in pain America answered, because it was right, and because it made us safer. These cuts fly in the face of Jesus’ call to love our neighbors as ourselves. They fly in the face of national security experts who say that these investments make us a more respected and stronger country. They fly in the face of human decency.
“As I said on the floor of the Senate earlier, the passage of this bill and its cruel cuts to foreign assistance would make Jesus weep.”
Senator Coons is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.