Hearing: Members' Day

Statement

Hearing: MEMBERS' DAY

Mr. Chairman and Members of the Budget Committee, I appreciate the
opportunity to appear before the Budget Committee. The annual budget
resolution charts the course for our Federal spending, so I am pleased
to testify regarding programs that are of great importance to West
Virginia.
During the last budget cycle, we took a step toward greater fiscal
responsibility by controlling the growth of both discretionary and
entitlement spending. I continue to support efforts to cut waste,
fraud, and abuse from our budget and provide the most efficient
government possible for American taxpayers.
Because the tax relief provided in 2001 and 2003 has grown our
economy and helped American families, I fully support the extension of
the increased Child Tax Credit and the permanent repeal of the Marriage
Penalty and Death Tax that are assumed in this budget. Congress should
work within its means to ensure these taxes do not return to increase
the burden on the American people.
The President's budget provides for funding increases both in
Defense and Homeland Security that are crucial to continuing the war on
terror. Given the presence of the chemical industry in the Kanawha
Valley, I am especially pleased that the budget would fund a new
Chemical Security Office to work with the industry and other interested
parties to keep these plants safe from attacks.
West Virginians have a long and distinguished record of service to
our nation. We have a responsibility to meet the medical needs of our
Veterans who have sacrificed for our nation. This budget proposes a
increase of over $2.5 billion for VA Medical programs. We should
provide this increase to meet the health care needs of our veterans.
Mine safety is a critical issue for the people I represent. Sixteen
miners have been killed in coal mining accidents in West Virginia so
far this year. In response West Virginia's congressional delegation has
introduced legislation to enhance mine safety requirements.
All the legislative and regulatory efforts in the world will not
improve safety if the Mine Safety and Health Administration does not
have adequate resources to carry out its enforcement mission. The
President's budget requests an increase of 3.6 percent for MSHA to $290
million. A more significant increase is necessary if we are to improve
inspections and also evaluate new technologies that can improve safety
for our miners. I firmly believe that we need more inspectors in our
mines and more engineers examining the next generation in safety
equipment at MSHA, and I hope my colleagues will join me in working to
further increase this funding level through the appropriations cycle.
Coal is an essential part of our energy supply, providing over half
of the nation's electricity. I was pleased that the President mentioned
the need to provide more funding for clean, zero emissions coal
programs in his State of the Union. This budget provides $268 million
for Research and Development on new clean coal technologies that will
allow coal to continue to provide low cost electricity while also
protecting our environment.
It is also important that we provide the proposed increase to the
Department of Energy's office of Science so that they can examine new
ways to use coal, wind power, solar energy, biomass, and other
innovative methods that will help us end our dependence on oil. Only
through investment now will we ever be able to solve the problem of
high gasoline prices that all of our constituents face at the pump.
I want to commend the administration for proposing the American
Competitiveness Initiative. We all agree that attracting more of our
students to engineering, technology, and other science fields is
important to growing our economy and ensuring that America will
continue to be the worldwide leader in innovation.
Despite this initiative, I am troubled by several parts of the
President's Education budget. The budget would end funding for Gear-up
and TRIO Upward Bound and Talent Search programs. These successful
education programs help to aid in the transition from high school to
college for first generation college students. West Virginia's
education system is making significant progress and sending more
students to college than ever before. As a result, many of today's
students are the first in their families to attend college. TRIO and
Gear-Up programs found at both public and private colleges in my state
are of great benefit in preparing these students for college. Last
year, Congress was able to restore funding for these two programs
during the appropriations process, and I hope we will do the same this
year.
Also like last year the President's budget eliminates funding for
the vocational education program. Vocational education funds provide
money for job training both for high school students and at community
and technical colleges. For some students who will not attend college,
vocational education will provide the skills necessary to find a good
paying job. For other students, the hands on learning will bring the
motivation and encouragement needed for the student to move on to
higher education. The House reauthorized vocational education programs
by a vote of 416 to 9 last year, demonstrating overwhelming bipartisan
support. We should fund this important program.
Finally, I want to address the proposal to achieve further
reconciliation savings through Medicare and Medicaid. I voted for the
Deficit Reduction Act because I believe we must get a handle on
spending in mandatory programs and I believe most of the savings
achieved targeted waste in the programs. As we consider any future
savings, we must make sure that medical care for those in need, and in
particular our seniors and children, is not jeopardized. I have serious
questions with the proposal to reduce Medicare payments to providers
because I believe such an action would limit the access to medical
care, and especially access to specialists, for those served by the
program.
If the Budget resolution is to ask the full House to achieve more
savings from health programs, we must take special care to target waste
and abuse, rather than access to care.
Your committee faces a challenging task over the coming weeks as
you work to craft a budget that provides for our security and grows our
economy. I thank you for considering the impact the programs I have
discussed have on the people of West Virginia, and I again thank you
for the opportunity to testify.

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