WASHINGTON - August 2 - Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement today after voting against what he called “an extremely unfair” deficit-reduction package:

“I believe that Vermonters and people across the country are extremely dismayed that all of the burden for deficit reduction will fall on the backs of working families, the elderly, the children, the sick and the poor.  This extremely unfair agreement does not ask the wealthiest people in this country, most of whom are doing extremely well, or large profitable corporations to contribute one penny.  This is not only immoral, it is bad economic policy and will cost us hundreds of thousands of jobs.

“It is impossible at this point to determine exactly what programs will be cut or by how much.  That will be determined later in the committee process and I will do everything I can to defend priorities important to Vermont.  What we can say, however, is that vitally important programs for Vermont, like LIHEAP, education, Head Start, child care, community health centers, the MILC program for dairy farmers, Pell grants for college students, nutrition programs, environmental protection, affordable housing, community action agencies, small business loans and many other programs will be on the chopping block.

“Further, the so-called deficit reduction super committee of six senators and six House members will have the power to make devastating cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and veterans.

“All of us understand that the current deficit situation is unsustainable and that we need responsible action to address it.  It is unconscionable, however, that this agreement would place the entire burden on working families and some of the most vulnerable people in our country.”