Sens. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) accused Republicans of releasing a “fairytale” budget, saying the math doesn’t add up.
“They can’t agree on what gimmicks and how much sleight of hand to use, though they use plenty of it,” Schumer told reporters, suggesting Republicans are divided on their budget. “That makes this a fairytale budget.”
{mosads}Schumer and Sanders said Democratic amendments to the Republican budget would focus on boosting infrastructure, making college more affordable, moving toward equal pay and blocking cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
But Schumer said the budget should also be a test for Republicans.
“We want to make sure the budget is an opportunity to say which side are you really on,” he said. “Do you want to help the middle class?”
Sanders called the Republican budget a “Robin Hood budget in reverse” and suggested the GOP is “out of touch” with average Americans.
“This to me is way, way, way out of touch with where the American people are,” he said.
Senate Republicans on Wednesday released a plan that would balance the budget in 10 years and cut spending by $5.1 trillion over the next decade.
But Schumer and Sanders said Republicans can’t explain how they would achieve the cuts.
“They don’t show how. They can’t. They won’t,” Schumer said. “I think a lot of what’s in the Republican budget is red meat for their hard-right base they won’t be able to come to specifics about, because it’s so unrealistic.”
Schumer added that Dems will not support any effort to boost defense spending without also increasing spending for non-defense programs.
Democrats will also offer amendments on free community college, preschool for four-year-olds and paid sick leave.