WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez issued the following statement regarding his opposition to the nomination of Congressman Mick Mulvaney (R-S.C.) to serve as Director of the Office of Management and Budget:
"I believe that a budget is a reflection of one’s true priorities, and that’s exactly why I cannot support Rep. Mulvaney to be Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
"Think about the impact his priorities would have on our seniors. He wants to end Medicare as we know it, not defend it as Candidate Trump promised. He’s pushed for cutting benefits and raising the retirement age for both Medicare and Social Security, unfairly hurting millions of Americans who’ve spent their lives working hard with the faith that these programs will be there for them when they retire. He literally shut the doors of government to retaliate against funding for women’s health and reproductive services and in opposition to the Affordable Care Act.
"And if a budget is a reflection of one’s priorities, then how one responds when a fellow American needs help is a reflection of character. When New Jerseyans were fighting for their lives in the devastating wake of Superstorm Sandy, Rep. Mulvaney turned his back on us, ignored our pleas for help and reduced our plight to nothing but a talking point against government handouts. Yet, three years later, when South Carolina communities faced flooding, he had no problem putting his hand out to the federal government and looking to the rest of the country—including New Jerseyans—for help.
"We need someone leading OMB with the strength of character embodied by our shared values, who fights to protect all Americans, not abandon them when it's politically expedient and at their expense. The American people deserve better than Rep. Mulvaney making such critical budgetary decisions that will impact their lives.”
