Cut the federal budget – stop economic growth. That’s the message from a new report criticizing the House-approved budget plan which cuts $61 billion dollars in spending for the rest of this fiscal year. The Coalition on Human Needs report predicts if the Senate approves the House plan, the sputtering economic recovery will stall. The Republican-sponsored budget cuts funding from a rash of social services – including student loans, low-income energy assistance programs, and Head Start. Bridget Kaminetsky of 9 to 5 says these cuts would be devastating to all Coloradans for only a small reduction in the deficit. The Senate is facing a deadline – members need to approve a budget plan by Friday to keep the government operating. Speaker of the House John Boehner says he won’t agree to extending government spending beyond then without extensive cutbacks.

The CHN report notes that 14-million Americans are currently unemployed – and that job training programs to help them find work are among those to be cut. Kamenitsky says its important to remember that cutting dollars impacts real people.

Republican leaders say cutting government spending will encourage the private sector to create jobs.

See the CHN report HERE.