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Conference Report on S. Con. Res. 21, Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2008

Floor Speech

Date: May 17, 2007
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Government Budget and Spending


CONFERENCE REPORT ON S. CON. RES. 21, CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008 -- (House of Representatives - May 17, 2007)

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Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I am proud that we have come together and finally agree on a fiscally responsible budget. And I am proud of the work that we have done to address our most urgent priorities as a Congress and as a Nation.

Last year, the previous majority failed to pass a budget and in the process left us without the framework to pass critical appropriations bills. In 1998, 2002, 2004, we also went without a budget resolution. We have to do better, and that begins today. We have a responsibility in this Congress to do our jobs and to put our Nation back on track.

At last we are beginning to get our House in order with a real commitment to spend our tax dollars wisely and with fiscal responsibility, finally honoring our long-standing commitments and making a modest investment in our future. By balancing our budget and even providing for a slight $41 billion surplus by the year 2012 without raising taxes, this plan reflects our priorities and takes our Nation in a new direction.

Today we have a budget that makes an investment in children and families for the first time in 6 years. We have a budget that expands SCHIP, the hugely successful children's health insurance program to give kids without coverage the attention and care that they need.

We have a budget that ensures new resources for No Child Left Behind to make student achievement a reality, and a new commitment for Pell Grants to make college education more affordable.

We have a budget that honors our veterans with the resources our VA facilities need to handle increased patient load, and provide the care our service members deserve.

We face great challenges, challenges that the Federal Government has the ability, the capacity, the resources and the moral obligation to help us meet. Let us embrace that obligation, create real opportunity today, and give people the tools they need to grow and to thrive tomorrow.

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