Denver, Colorado -- Last night, Reps. Bob Beauprez, Tom Tancredo, Joel Hefley and Marilyn Musgrave, showed their true priorities by failing to stand up for Colorado's hard working families. In a 217 to 215 vote, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives passed a dangerous budget reconciliation bill that slashes $50 billion from programs that help provide educational opportunities, health care, and even basic nutritional assistance to America's working families.

While every Democrat in the House of Representatives voted against the measure, Reps. Bob Beauprez, Tom Tancredo, Joel Hefley and Marilyn Musgrave sided with the powerful special interests over Colorado's working poor.

As Republicans in Congress were forcing radical cuts in crucial programs, allegedly in the name of fiscal sanity, they continue to push for more than $60 billion in new tax cuts for investors and wealthy special interests actually increasing the outrageous federal deficit by at least $10 billion.

Colorado Democratic Party Chair Pat Waak today issued the following statement: "Reps. Bob Beauprez, Tom Tancredo, Joel Hefley and Marilyn Musgrave should be ashamed of themselves. Last night, they joined the Republican extremists in Congress in forcing Colorado's working families to pay for billions of dollars in new tax cuts for special interests.

"Given a choice between new tax cuts for the rich and health care provision through Medicaid for children and seniors in Colorado, Reps. Bob Beauprez, Tom Tancredo, Joel Hefley and Marilyn Musgrave chose tax cuts. They turned their back on the 284,000 children and seniors who receive Medicaid in Colorado. Their decision to cut child support collection enforcement funding will mean $104,000,000 fewer dollars for parents and children who need them most.

"While Republicans in Congress claim these cuts are part of a deficit reduction package, they continue to push new tax cuts that will increase the deficit, even after these radical Republican budget cuts. "American can do better. At a time when families are struggling with high gas prices, out of control home heating costs, rising health care costs, and the skyrocketing cost of college tuition, Reps. Bob Beauprez, Tom Tancredo, Joel Hefley and Marilyn Musgrave showed their true priorities. Colorado's Democrats in Washington will continue to fight to provide hard working Coloradoans the help they need and deserve."