Rep. Laura Richardson Reacts to President Obama's FY 2012 Budget

Statement

In response to President Obama's proposed 2012 Annual Budget, Rep. Laura Richardson (CA-37) released the following statement today:

"President Obama's proposed FY 2012 Budget takes important steps to help stabilize our nation's crushing deficit by offering over $1 trillion in deficit reduction over the next ten years. The budget also freezes domestic non-security related spending for the next five years, taking important steps to spur improvement in education and infrastructure and encourage innovation.

"While I applaud the president's effort to curb out of control spending, I am concerned that some of the programs that are vital to the growth and recovery of my district and the country have been put on the chopping block. The last thing Californians need right now is to feel the pain of more jobs lost and fewer opportunities for much needed assistance.

"Specifically, I am disturbed that funding for programs like manufacture of Boeing's C17 airplane, the Diesel Emissions Reduction Grants and the Emergency Operations Center program have been eliminated entirely in the president's proposed budget. Also troubling are cuts to programs like Community Development Block Grants, Pell Grants and Emergency Operations Grants, all of which would negatively impact the 37th Congressional District and limit important job growth and community improvement opportunities.

"As my staff and I continue to pour over the budget and crunch the numbers, I will keep working to find ways to bring home the support the 37th Congressional District needs and deserves. While we need to find new ways to reduce spending, we cannot take the risk of balancing the budget on the backs of hard working American families."

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