Rep. Courtney Statement on Federal Budget

Press Release

Rep. Courtney Statement on Federal Budget

Congressmen Joe Courtney released the following statement on H. Con. Res. 99, the Budget Resolution for FY 2008, which passed the House of Representatives today.

"I am proud to support the budget passed by the House because it restores fiscal responsibility to government spending and reflects the values of our nation. This new Congress makes a powerful statement by ensuring that middle-class families, veterans and children's health care are a top priority while appropriately increasing spending on necessary defense and homeland security initiatives."

Following is an overview of the budget passed today:

Strengthens Our National Defense And Honors Promises To Connecticut's Brave Troops And Veterans.

· The House budget provides for the largest veterans' budget increase in American history - $3.5 billion more this year ($32 billion over the next five years) for veterans' health care than the President's budget. These additional resources are needed to provide excellent health care for new veterans, repair VA health care facilities, make needed investments in veterans' mental health care and traumatic brain injury, and speed up and improve the accuracy of disability claims processing.

· These improvements are needed to ensure that the 268,974 veterans in Connecticut receive care worthy of their sacrifice. It is also critical for the 10,812 brave Connecticut residents, who have served their country in Afghanistan and Iraq since September 2001, many of whom will need VA health care services. [Veterans Administration, 9/04; Department of Defense, 2/07]

· The House budget provides six percent more in areas that deal with homeland security, rejecting the cuts to vital first responder and terrorism prevention programs included in the President's FY 2008 budget.

· Under the President's budget, the State Homeland Security Grant Program - which awarded $81,257,248 to Connecticut from 2003 to 2006 - would be slashed by 52 percent. The Law Enforcement Terrorist Prevention Program (LETPP) - which awarded $14,738,181 to Connecticut from 2004 to 2006 - would be eliminated. [Department of Homeland Security, 1/07]

· The Democrats' budget also includes funds to begin implementing the 9/11 Commission recommendations to make Connecticut and our nation more secure.

Invests in a 21st Century Workforce And A Growing Economy And Protects Middle-Class Tax Relief.

· The Democratic House budget makes a sustained commitment to research and development and education - investments that are part of our Innovation Agenda: A Commitment to Competitiveness to Keep America #1.

· The Democratic House budget supports middle-class tax cuts and protects middle-income families from a tax increase by setting up a reserve fund for a long-term fix for the alternative minimum tax (AMT). In 2004, 80,000 Connecticut families were subject to the AMT - and if nothing is done to fix the system, an estimated 587,000 families here in Connecticut will be subject to the AMT in 2007. [CRS, 6/06]

· Small businesses employ nearly half of all workers and create three out four new jobs in America. In Connecticut, there are 341,400 small businesses that serve as the engine of the economy. [SBA, 2006]

· To spur economic growth and support small businesses here in Connecticut, the House budget rejects the President's proposal to cut the Small Business Administration by 26 percent from last year's request and 56 percent from 2001.

· The House budget also recognizes the importance of job training for hardworking Connecticut residents to keep America competitive with a highly-skilled workforce. It rejects the President's cuts that eliminate $35,604,000 in funding for job training and employment services in Connecticut. [FFIS, 2/07]

· These investments to a growing economy for America's families are needed as family income in Connecticut has dropped by $1,180 since 2000, while health care and energy prices are climbing. [Census, 8/06]

Restores Funding For Connecticut's Children And Working Families, Giving Them Greater Opportunities To Succeed.

· In Connecticut, 72,480 of children do not have health insurance. The House budget helps these children by increasing funding for State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) - reducing the number of uninsured kids across America by millions. [Kaiser State Health Facts, 2005]

· The House Democratic budget also rejects the Administration's proposal to cut Medicare funding by $315,055,568 for Connecticut hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and home health care providers - because it would make health care less accessible and affordable for many Connecticut residents. [American Hospital Association, 2/07]

· The House budget provides substantially more funding for Connecticut's 567,300 children enrolled in public elementary, middle and high schools - providing nearly $8 billion more in 2008 and 11 percent more over the next five years for education and training programs than requested by the President. [Department of Education, 8/05]

· This will increase resources for No Child Left Behind, special education and Head Start - rejecting harsh cuts and underfunding for these critical education programs included in the President's budget.

· Under the President's budget, 27,343 Connecticut children will go without promised help in reading and math and Head Start - a vital program for 7,126 Connecticut children - is cut by 1.5 percent below the 2007 level. [Senate Appropriations Committee Staff, 2/07; Administration for Children & Families, 6/06]

Provides Funding For Initiatives To Protect Our Environment And Preserve Our Planet.

· The Democratic House budget invests in renewable energy and energy efficiency to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, reduce global warming, and promote new technologies that can create American jobs.

· Creates a reserve fund that could target up to $14 billion over 10 years to invest in clean, renewable alternative energy and energy efficiency paid for by redirecting oil subsidies.

· Ending our addiction to foreign oil is a key step in ensuring that energy will be more affordable for America's families in the future and that America's families are not at the whim of overseas oil cartels.

· Gas prices have increased by $1.24 in Connecticut since January 2001, an increase of approximately 81 percent. [EIA, 3/07 & 1/01; AAA Fuel Gauge Report, 3/07]

· Democrats restore funding for Connecticut environmental programs cut by the President's budget - including $4,842,000 in Clean Water revolving loan funds that help Connecticut improve wastewater treatment. [FFIS, 2/07]

Restores Fiscal Responsibility To Washington.

· The House budget puts in place the tough "pay as you go" budget rules to begin to reverse the record budget deficits accumulated under Republican leadership.

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