Van Hollen Introduces House Democratic Budget

Statement

Today Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen, Ranking Member on the House Budget Committee, issued the following statement on introduction of the House Democratic budget alternative for FY 2012:

"Today Democrats have introduced a budget that presents the clear choice between our plan to strengthen the economy and reduce the deficit and the Republican plan that will cost American jobs while benefiting special interests and the wealthy. Our plan is a balanced approach to spending and revenue. It stands in direct contrast to the Republican budget, which increases tax breaks for millionaires and special interests and pays for these new tax cuts on the backs of working Americans. Unlike the Republican plan, our alternative reduces the deficit in a steady, responsible way as we build the foundation for shared prosperity and long-term economic growth -- in fact, it achieves primary balance by FY 2018 and cuts the deficit by $1.2 trillion more than the President's budget.

"This budget invests in our nation's future, helping small businesses create jobs and Make it in America. It gives our children and grandchildren the tools to keep America competitive in this global economy. It keeps our commitments to America's seniors and most vulnerable instead of dismantling Medicare and Medicaid. This plan also includes targeted cuts, ranging from national security agencies to agricultural subsidies, to reduce the deficit and ensure that we are spending within our means. And our budget calls for tax reform to streamline and simplify the tax code without shifting the burden to middle class tax payers.

"Like every American family, we must tighten our belts. But it is clear that the Republican budget amounts to a yellow-brick road for the already prosperous and a dead end for the rest of the country. To govern is to choose, and the choices made in the Republican plan are wrong for America. The Democratic plan is a path forward to address our deficit and also make strategic national investments necessary to ensure that our country out-educates, out-innovates, and out-builds the rest of the world."

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