Rep. Johnson votes right way on budget cuts

November 26, 2005

U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson , R-Urbana, deserves our sincere thanks.

Last week, Johnson stood up for middle-class people and voted against a budget package that will cut important social service programs. This package will cut student loans by $14.3 billion and make severe cuts to the Medicaid and food stamp programs.

Rep. Johnson agrees that these are important programs that cannot afford to be shortchanged.

The representative also deserves our thanks for working to protect the public lands of our country and our state. Johnson has worked to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This sets the precedent that it is unacceptable to drill for oil and destroy the environment of extraordinary areas from the pristine lands of Alaska to our back yards here in Illinois.

LUCINDA HOHMANN
Illinois Public Interest Research Group
Chicago, IL