Statement of Congresswoman Gwen Moore

Statement of Congresswoman Gwen Moore
Regarding the FY 2007 Budget Resolution

April 6, 2006

(Washington, DC)— Congresswoman Gwen Moore released the following statement today addressing consideration of the Republican budget proposal by the U.S. House of Representatives. The Republican's FY 2007 budget is a broad resolution that closely mirrors the more specific budget proposal offered by President Bush earlier this year.

"Today's budget vote is about our priorities as a nation, as well as our morality. The Republican budget pits ordinary people and their struggles against the interests of the richest Americans. If the Administration's priority is providing $228 billion in tax cuts over the next five years that primarily benefit the wealthiest in our country, then of course it follows that they would cut $2.2 billion from the Department of Education, cut funding for important job training programs and social services programs such as the Community Services Block Grant, and completely eliminate the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, which provides seniors with the nutritious groceries that they otherwise could not afford.

"Of course it follows that President Bush and the Republicans would propose a budget that cuts funding in half for housing for Americans with disabilities, reduces by 25 percent housing for seniors, and puts a freeze on funding for childcare and for WIC—this Administration's understanding of equal opportunity is to cut Americans off at the beginning of life AND at the end.

"After five years under one-party rule, it is no longer a shock that this budget fails to adequately fund healthcare for veterans by $6 billion over five years at a time when we are sending our National Guardsmen and Reservists off to war. With over 13,000 injured soldiers returning from Iraq, we need to be providing comprehensive rehabilitative care for both the physical and mental health of our veterans.

"The Congressional Black Caucus and the Progressive Caucus have submitted alternative budgets that provide for all Americans by funding key programs for our nation's communities and families—all while continuing to support middle-class tax relief, reducing the nation's long-term debt, and balancing the federal budget by 2011. We do this in part by taking away unnecessary Cold War-era weaponry that does nothing to protect our country against terrorists whose methods include improvised explosive devices and suicide bombers, as opposed to the ballistic missiles of twenty years ago. We're not softer on defense—we're just smarter.

"The Democratic Party is the party that has met the needs of the people over the last century. We will continue to do all we can to ensure that those most in need have a roof over their head, nourishing food to eat, and the educational opportunity due to all Americans."

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/wi04_moore/pr060406.html