U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth says cuts will hurt vulnerable Kentuckians

U.S. Rep. John B. Larson (D-CT) (L), chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, walks with U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth (D-KY) to a House Democratic Caucus meeting on January 4, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
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Posted: 03/09/2013

By: Associated Press

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- Kentucky's only Democratic congressman says the state's most vulnerable residents will be hurt by federal spending cuts.

U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth said Friday that fewer children will have access to Head Start and vaccinations, and some low-income women will miss out on cancer screenings.

The Louisville congressman says funding for education and medical research will be cut.

Yarmuth countered recent comments by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who said the $85 billion in cuts is modest.

Yarmuth spoke on a conference call arranged by the Democratic National Committee. He was joined by Iraq War veteran Mike Moynahan, who works for a non-profit group that assists the poor. Moynahan says the cuts will hurt programs that weatherize homes and assist families at risk of having their utilities shut off.