Categories: Featured News

Republicans Rush to Fix Airport Delays, But Will Let Sequester Make 140,000 Families Homeless

Republicans rushed to fix the sequester airport delays that were about to impact them, but they refuse to reverse the sequester cuts that will push 140,000 low income families into homelessness.

The Senate voted by unanimous consent last night to restore funding that was cut by the sequester to the FAA, so that they could afford to bring back furloughed air traffic controllers, and the House quickly followed suit today by passing the Senate bill, 361-41. House Republicans are claiming victory, without acknowledging that they were wrong on two counts. They claimed that Obama was exaggerating the impact of the sequester, and they told America that the sequester would be painless .

It’s amazing how quickly Congress can act when something impacts them. (Another example of this was their stealth repeal of the Stock Act.)

Republicans in Congress refused to allow flight delays disrupt their then upcoming nine day long vacation, but they are happy to ignore the larger problems that are looming thanks to their sequester cuts. Meals On Wheels and Head Start are both facing drastic cuts, but the sequester could also mean homelessness for 140,000 low income families.

According to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, “Most agencies will likely continue to shelve vouchers so long as their monthly housing assistance costs exceed their monthly renewal funding allocations from HUD, in light of the risk that the funding cuts could extend into 2014. As a result, we estimate that by early next year, agencies’ voucher programs are likely to shrink by approximately 140,000 households — primarily seniors, people with disabilities, and families with children.”

Congressional Republicans are perfectly fine with pushing seniors, children, and low income families into homelessness, but they absolutely refuse to wait at the airport. (I am singling out Congressional Republicans here, because that is where the hypocrisy is. Congressional Democrats and the president have working for months to avoid/replace the sequester.)

Republicans voted to shift $253 million in the FAA budget to bring the air traffic controllers back, but they can’t find $938 million to keep 140,000 households from homelessness. Actually, it isn’t that they can’t find the money. They won’t find the money, because they don’t care.

The only message that can be taken from their selfish vote to fix the flight delay issues is that they could do something to help people, but they won’t.

It’s that simple. I am sure that many Republicans view these people as Democratic voters. They see the nation’s poor as a part of Romney’s 47% who vote Democrat because they want free stuff. If these people are homeless they may not be able to vote, so some GOPers might see this as a win/win for them.

Republicans want to sell their votes yesterday and today as problem solving, but the message they are really sending is that they don’t care about you.

Follow Me
Jason Easley

Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements. Awards and  Professional Memberships Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association

Recent Posts

Jack Smith Moves To Dismiss 1/6 Charges Against Trump

Because of the DOJ policy that a sitting president can't be prosecuted, Special Counsel Jack…

22 hours ago

Tammy Duckworth Explains How Pete Hegseth Would Weaken The US Military

Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) explained the vital role that women play in combat and how…

2 days ago

Bernie Sanders To Stay In Top Senate Post To Protect Social Security And Medicare

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) announced that he will be staying as the ranking member on…

4 days ago

Trump Finds Out The Hard Way That He Won’t Be A Dictator As Matt Gaetz Nomination Implodes

Senate Republicans won the first round of their fight for power with Trump, as the…

5 days ago

Trump Is Personally Threatening Republican Senators Who Oppose Matt Gaetz

Trump is threatening to primary Republican senators with Elon Musk's money if they vote against…

5 days ago

MSNBC May Soon Be Gone

The decision to spin off MSNBC as part of a new company will result in…

6 days ago