Providing for Consideration of H. Con. Res. 376, Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2007

PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H. CON. RES. 376, CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007 -- (House of Representatives - April 06, 2006)

(Ms. MATSUI asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the budget resolution. The impact this budget will have on families demonstrates how misguided it really is. Our Nation has had a long-standing commitment to investing in medical research. We all know someone, a friend or a relative, who has fought breast cancer. Each one is an inspiration as they exhibit a reservoir of strength and perseverance.

This is an issue that is very close to me as members of my family have been diagnosed with the dreadful disease.

When I am home in Sacramento, I make it a priority to meet with survivors. As each woman shares her personal battle with me, the one thing they all reiterate is how appreciative they are that research and technology exists to help them win their fight with cancer, and they ask me to express their appreciation to my colleagues for their continued support of the medical research programs that have driven the development of life-saving techniques and technology.

One example is innovative advances that the UC Davis Cancer Center located in my district has made. Last year, its researchers discovered a new method to improve early detection of breast cancer. As that group of survivors has emphasized, early detection is essential to surviving breast cancer.

Tragically, this budget underfunds critical medical research. As a result, dynamic institutions like the UC Davis Cancer Center will not have access to the same level of Federal resources as they did in last year's budget.

What do you tell the children or the spouse of a woman who may have benefited from additional cancer research, but will not now because of this budget?

The fact is this budget chooses tax cuts for the very, very, very wealthiest instead of investing in medical research. This is a choice that Congress is making.

We need a budget that makes sense for America's families. I think about my 2 1/2 -year-old granddaughter, Anna. It is Congress' responsibility to invest the resources today so that Anna and her friends have at least the same opportunities that you and I have had. To accomplish this goal, we must devote long-term resources to health care, education, and scientific discovery. Yet with this budget, we are reducing our capability in these areas while continuing to run a massive deficit. So not only are we not investing in Anna and her friends, but we are passing our debt to them.

Congress cannot continue to run this government in the same selfish, shortsighted manner that we have over the past 5 years. Congress risks breaking America's foundation of opportunity and prosperity and imperiling the quality of life for our children and our grandchildren.

When we talk about the quality of life, that means your grandchildren and those of you who may hope for grandchildren. They may not have access to world-class education. It means that the Annas of our country may not benefit from the world's best health care system or be a part of the most innovative and productive economy. It means that citizens of the United States may look at foreign countries and see people who have better opportunities and better lives.

I urge my colleagues to oppose this budget and vote in favor of Mr. Spratt's alternative.

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