Rep. Tom Allen Votes for Budget that Restores Opportunity for Maine Families

Press Release

U.S. Representative Tom Allen, a senior member of the House Budget Committee, today voted in favor of the Budget Resolution for Fiscal Year 2009. The resolution fundamentally rejects the draconian cuts to programs important to Maine and America's most vulnerable populations proposed by the Bush Administration. Instead, it seeks to make investments in children's health care, higher education, scientific innovation and energy initiatives, and benefits for service members, veterans, and their families that will strengthen the economy in the long run and return middle class families to a path of economic opportunity.

"This Administration has maintained the practice of rewarding the most fortunate among us while demonstrating little concern for the plight of millions of Americans," Representative Allen said. "I am proud to have worked to create an alternative to President Bush's proposals and craft a budget that calls for extension of middle class tax cuts, provides much needed fuel assistance to low-income families, and gives working people and their children the opportunity to attain higher education and job training."

President Bush's budget proposal includes billions of dollars in cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, a down-sizing of homeland security initiatives and decreased funding for veterans' benefits. In sharp contrast to the Administration, the House Budget Committee sent to the House of Representatives a measure that will protect Medicare and Medicaid, maintain vital first-responder programs such as Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) and ensure that veterans' receive the benefits they have earned.

"In order to address this economic downturn, we must take immediate steps to improve the economy for all of the American people," Representative Allen said. "This budget invests in programs fundamental to the strengthening of our economy. It creates jobs, assures much-needed healthcare for our children, fulfills our obligation to our veterans, provides for tax relief for the middle class and endeavors to research and create alternative energy sources--all without raising taxes. I pledge to continue my work on the House Budget Committee and will continue to fight to improve the personal and economic security of Maine and the nation."

The Budget Resolution establishes spending guidelines for the federal government for the fiscal year that begins October 1, 2008.

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