Ryan Budget Solidifies Sequester Cuts to Parks, Clean Water, Public Health and is a Vision of a 19th Century Energy Policy

WASHINGTON (March 12, 2013) – U.S. House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) today released a Fiscal 2014 budget proposal, and Scott Slesinger, legislative director for the Natural Resources Defense Council, issued this statement:

“Congress should reject Congressman Ryan’s backward-looking budget because it solidifies drastic sequestration cuts to initiatives that protect our air, water, food, wildlife, national parks, and transportation infrastructure. Cutting these services that every American relies on won’t dent the deficit, but it will harm our economy and our future.

“Instead, we need a balanced approach that includes closing tax loopholes, rather than putting the burden on initiatives that protect the middle class and those trying to get into the middle class.

“Congressman Ryan might view his plan to continue our reliance on dirty fossil fuels as visionary. It certainly is. It’s a vision for the 19th Century robber barons.”