WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statement after voting against the Senate Republican budget, which attacks jobs, training programs, health insurance, and other hard-earned benefits and needs of Connecticut residents:

“The Republican budget is a nightmare for Connecticut in every respect. It abandons the commitment we make to each other, to educate our kids, to take care of the weak and frail, and to give a helping hand to those less fortunate than the rest of us. This budget would kill job training programs for 25,000 Connecticut residents, force the state to lay off legions of teachers, cut college aid for 70,000 students, and end health coverage for 200,000 state residents and families. That's unacceptable, and I voted against this backwards budget.

“But the fight to pass a budget that truly reflects Connecticut priorities is just beginning. As a new member of the Appropriations Committee, I will use my new position to ultimately pass a budget to funds Connecticut priorities, like submarines and high speed rail, and continue to fight the Republicans’ agenda to slash and burn government at the expense of students, seniors, and the poor.”