{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://yarmuth.house.gov/press/yarmuth-introduces-2018-democratic-budget-on-house-floor/", "Yarmuth Introduces 2018 Democratic Budget on House Floor", "2017-10-05", "2017", "2017-10", "Democrat", "House", "KY", "John Yarmuth", "Y000062", "yarmuth.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-03), Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, delivered the following remarks as he introduced the Democratic Budget Investing in Americas Future on the House floor. Video of the introduction can be found here and the Congressmans remarks as prepared are below:\r\n\r\n\tThank you Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.\r\n\r\n\tMr. Chair, Democrats and Republicans are looking at the same challenges facing our country and American families. Education, healthcare, and housing costs have all increased while wages stay stagnant.\r\n\r\n\tIt used to be that the two parties would debate different strategies to address the problems facing the American people. Sadly, those times are behind us.\r\n\r\n\tIn giving millionaires, including the majority of this Congress, the president, and wealthy donors a giant tax cut, the Republican budget does not even pretend to address the problems facing the American people. Not only does it ignore working families, it increases their challenges. \r\n\r\n\tThe Democratic budget alternative, in stark contrast to the Republican budget, begins to address the real challenges our country faces now and in the long term.\r\n\r\n\tWe are less than a decade removed from the worst economic crisis in most of our lifetimes, and we have a chance to rebound in a way that builds a foundation for our country to thrive for generations. But we have to seize that opportunity.\r\n\r\n\tRather than giving resources to people and businesses that already have them, were calling for targeted investments in programs that grow our economy, create good paying jobs, and provide real support for working families and real security in retirement.\r\n\r\n\tRather than sending thank you notes to the corporations that bankroll campaigns, we have an opportunity to make vital public investments that lead to a brighter future  rebuilding roads, bridges, and other critical infrastructure, all of which leads to good jobs now and in the long-run.\r\n\r\n\tRather than giving the president a multi-million dollar refund on taxes he refuses to disclose, we can invest in retirement security for seniors who didnt inherit millions. We can invest in affordable education so young people do not have to grow up wealthy to have a shot at earning it in their future careers.\r\n\r\n\tInstead of taking healthcare away from people, straining emergency rooms and making America sicker, we have an opportunity to continue investing in affordable, quality health care for all of us, finally eliminating a great burden on American families  a burden that no other developed nation shares.\r\n\r\n\tThis budget is an opportunity for our country to invest in our future, and if we adopt the Republican budget plan, we will have squandered it.\r\n\r\n\tDemocrats believe in a government that prioritizes American families, and they should be the priorities of this Congress. I, therefore, urge my colleagues to oppose the Republican budget and support the Democratic alternative. I reserve the balance of my time.\r\n\r\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://yarmuth.house.gov/press/yarmuth-introduces-2018-democratic-budget-on-house-floor/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.094411127269268, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}