WASHINGTON, DC - After House Republicans put forward a $2.2 trillion budget proposal, Mary Kay Henry, President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), issued the following statement:

"This Republican proposal is a non-starter. Any plan that does not include restoring the tax rates for the wealthy to Clinton-era levels is simply unacceptable. All Americans must pay their fair share in taxes if we are going to continue our economic recovery and address the budget deficit.

"Further, the Republican proposal includes harmful cuts to Medicare and Medicaid that voters rejected on November 6. But House Republicans still haven't gotten the message. Voters rejected cutting healthcare, education and other vital services in order to pay for tax cuts for the rich. We urge all Members of Congress to forcefully oppose any budget deal that puts working families and the economic recovery in jeopardy."

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