WASHINGTON, March 9 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, today made the following statement following Senate votes on competing spending proposals:

“This country has a very serious deficit crisis and it must be addressed in a fair and sensible way.

“I voted against the Republican proposal because it made devastating cuts to Head Start, Pell grants, community health centers, LIHEAP, the Social Security Administration and many other programs that are vitally important to millions of middle-class families. The Republicans wanted to move toward a balanced budget solely on the backs of the middle class and some of the most vulnerable people in this country, but didn’t ask the wealthiest people, who are becoming much wealthier, to contribute one penny in shared sacrifice.  

“I voted against the Democratic proposal because, if the Democrats are serious about deficit reduction they have to raise revenue along with spending cuts.  As part of an Emergency Deficit Reduction Fund, I will be introducing legislation that calls for a 5.4 percent surtax on millionaires as well as eliminating tax breaks for big oil companies.”