WASHINGTON, DC — The Senate followed the lead of the House and passed a budget that is not binding on President Barack Obama, but could shape spending legislation in the future. Before the vote, Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey, a Democrat, held a conference call with reporters on March 26 to denounce the Republican-authored legislation and specifically its impact on children.

He said, “Pennsylvania’s economic potential depends on making the right investments in our children… The budget offered by Senate Republicans makes it clear in almost every way possible that children are not the top priority.”

He said the Republican budget cut 35,000 children out of Head Start, the federal program that supports the “school readiness of young children from low-income families through agencies in their local community.”

The Republican budget would mean 1,250 fewer Head Start slots in Pennsylvania, 31 fewer in the organization that serves Wayne and Pike counties.

Casey said the budget would also result in 620 fewer housing vouchers for the state resulting in “fewer families who will be able to afford safe housing.”

The Republican budget would also cut funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) by more than $4 billion over a five-year period.

School spending would also be cut by $38,716 in the Delaware Valley School District, $60,105 in the Wallenpaupack School District and $59,271 in the Wayne Highlands School District.

Casey said, “Please tell Mr. Republican budget supporter, how our state is better off when you see these cuts—especially when they seem to figure out a way to make sure that the tax cuts are there for the most wealthy among us.”

Specifically addressing SNAP cuts, he said, “According to Feeding America, nearly half of all SNAP participants are children, and according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, investments in SNAP lifted 2.1 million children out of poverty in 2013. So I’m… mystified as to why Republicans are so hostile to a program that makes sure people have enough to eat.”

Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey, a Republican, posted a statement on his website saying he supported the Senate budget.

He said, “It is time the government started living within its means. I am proud to support this budget that reaches balance within 10 years, honors the bipartisan spending caps we signed into law in 2011, does not raise taxes, and makes it easier for Congress to pass legislation dismantling Obamacare. ”

Toomey specifically pointed to a number of provisions in the budget resolution that he supports, including giving rural veterans who live more than 40 miles from a Veterans Administration medical center the flexibility to go to a private doctor or medical facility; passage of the bipartisan Protecting Students from Sexual and Violent Predators Act, which would protect students from pedophiles in the classroom; and preparing sanctions against Iran for violations of any nuclear agreement.