Coffman supports the Ryan Plan, takes heat from Colorado Democrats

By Hannah Downey

Representative Mike Coffman, R-Aurora, voted with the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday to approve the 2015 fiscal budget drawn up by House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wisconsin.  The budget, commonly referred to as the Ryan Plan, proposes over $5 trillion worth of cuts to federal spending and would significantly revamp social welfare programs.

The proposed budget was passed by the House, but not a single Democrat voted in its favor.  Though the proposal has no chance of passing the Democrat-controlled Senate, it is being used by Republicans as a political document to highlight partisan differences heading into the midterm elections.  

Democrats have taken aim at Coffman and the other Republicans who supported the measure, critiquing the plan for reducing health care coverage and subsidies under Obamacare while slashing Medicaid and other health care programs.  Ryan’s plan also cuts funding for food stamps, education, and farm programs.  

Representative Coffman commented, “Even though I wish the budget more boldly reformed spending across the board, the fact is a plan that wipes out deficit spending over 10 years is progress.”  He further challenged his critics, saying, “For those who say that this modest plan cuts Washington spending too deeply, I have a simple question - what is your plan to address the nation’s $650 billion annual budget shortfall and $17 trillion debt crisis?”  

It can be expected that Senator Michael Bennet, Colorado’s Democratic Senator, will vote in opposition to the Ryan Plan.