Hartford, CT – Connecticut Democratic Party Chairwoman Nancy DiNardo released the following statement today following the U.S. House of Representatives’ vote on the Republican Paul Ryan’s (R-WI) budget that would raise taxes on middle-class families:

“The GOP budget that just passed the House is misguided, short-sighted and like every other GOP budget, places a huge burden squarely on the backs of the middle class. Seniors, women, children, students and job seekers: all will be hit hard by this budget in the middle of an already challenging economic landscape.”

“In Connecticut alone, this budget would affect 53,556 seniors that have benefited from the closure of the Medicare Part D prescription drug donut hole. Over $9,590,000,000 in Federal Medicaid funding for our state would be cut over the next decade due to the proposal to block grant Medicaid.

“In addition, $792 billion more would be cut from Medicaid nationwide due to repeal of the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion.

“College students are affected too.  In Connecticut, students will receive $ 28,800,000 less funding in Pell Grants and 5,240 fewer students will receive Pell Grants all together.

“Head Start funding for 1,300 Connecticut children would be cut and 390 children could lose access to child care, which is also essential for working parents to hold down a job.

“13,500 members of Connecticut’s workforce, or those trying to get back into the workforce, would lose Training and Employment Services and 29,800 people would lose Job Search Assistance.

“Exactly 6,842 fewer low-income, Connecticut families would receive Housing Choice Vouchers.

“And finally, 417 fewer victims of domestic violence would be served through the STOP Violence Against Women Program.”