SENATOR COLLINS TO VOTE AGAINST BUDGET RECONCILIATION LEGISLATION

WASHINGTON, DC —Senator Susan Collins today announced her decision to vote against the budget reconciliation bill, which is currently being considered by the Senate. Senator Collins has released this statement.

            “The budget reconciliation bill now before the U.S. Senate includes draconian cuts to vital health, education, and child support enforcement programs, while leaving intact costly federal subsidies to large, corporate agro-businesses—an area where the federal government could find savings to help reduce the deficit. In addition, the bill delays additional funding for the LIHEAP program until fiscal year 2007 when funds are needed this year to help low-income families with the high cost of heating their homes.

            “For these reasons, I will vote against this legislation. We do need to reduce spending, but I cannot accept the priorities in this bill.

The budget reconciliation bill also includes:

• Cuts in Medicaid spending that fall disproportionately on low-income families and make it more difficult for Americans needing long-term care to qualify for Medicaid.
• The bill will result in a net loss of $12.7 billion in federal student loan funding.
• New higher interest loan rates for both students and parents, making college less affordable for many families in Maine .