Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2009

Floor Speech

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Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota: Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 312 and congratulate Chairman SPRATT for putting forward a budget that reflects the values of American families.

Again this year, President Bush proposed a reckless, fiscally irresponsible budget that would have neglected key investments and made significant cuts to critical services while driving up an already unsustainable deficit. Democrats reject Republican policies that have led to record debt and a weakened economy and today offer a budget that invests in families, makes America safer, strengthens our economy and improves our global competitiveness.

This budget proposal recognizes that smart investments in our country today will result in significant savings in the long run. H. Con. Res. 312 invests in renewable energy and ``green collar jobs''. Record gas prices are straining family, business and government budgets. This investment in the Midwest will reduce our dependence on oil, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create new jobs in our communities.

While the President proposed to cut education, the Democrats budget provides for a significant investment in our children by including $7.1 billion above the President's request. This funding will provide needed increases for No Child Left Behind, Head Start and Special Education. The underfunding of these programs under Republican leadership has led to reduced opportunities for our students and increased taxes for homeowners. The Democratic budget makes an important step in living up to the federal government's promises on education funding. It also provides funding for the America COMPETES Act, allowing for the education of the teachers, scientists, engineers and mathematicians we need to remain competitive in the global economy.

The Democratic budget invests in health care. It provides health care for all children and makes significant investments in health research and public health. Importantly, this budget rejects the draconian cuts to Medicare and Medicaid proposed by the President. Democrats recognize that access to health care includes access to quality health care providers.

In contrast to claims made by my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, this budget does not raise taxes on the middle class families. It fact, it includes a 1-year fix for the Alternative Minimum Tax and extends middle class tax cuts including the child tax credit, the marriage penalty relief, and the deduction for state and local sales taxes. It also calls for immediate action on the foreclosure crisis and provides for an affordable housing trust fund to help families find safe, stable housing and to begin to create wealth.

Democrats support investing in our communities. This budget recognizes the declining status of our nation's infrastructure and makes it a priority to invest in the necessary rebuild and expansion. In Minnesota, because of the tragic bridge collapse last August, we are all too aware of the need for upgrade and repair to our infrastructure. In addition, families are spending too much time and too much money commuting. This budget will allow for investment in transportation--both to increase options and to improve safety.

I also commend the Congressional Black Caucus and the Progressive Caucus for putting forward alternative budget proposals. I strongly support the emphasis on diplomacy and investments in global health proposed in these amendments.

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