U.S. Rep. Schakowsky Goes On Fast To Protest

U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky has joined a fast among members of Congress and others to protest the cuts in the 2012 Republican budget proposal.

In a sort of relay team effort, Schakowsky is taking over the fast Friday from Rep. Barbara Lee, a California Democrat, who fasted Thursday. On Saturday, Rep. Keith Ellison, a Minnesota Democrat, will go without food.

“I am joining my colleagues in Congress, faith leaders, and more than 30,000 Americans across the country in a solidarity fast to protest the draconian, reckless and mean-spirited cuts proposed in the Republican Budget for fiscal year 2012," Schakowsky said in a statement.

The cuts would most impact students, the poor, pregnant women, the disabled, and older Americans, she said. 

“At its core, the Republican budget is unfair and does nothing to create jobs or grow our economy – our nation’s top priorities right now," she concluded.