Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2012

Floor Speech

The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union had under consideration the bill (H. Con. Res. 34) establishing the budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2012 and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2013 through 2021, with Mr. Terry in the chair.

* Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong opposition to the Republican budget plan.

* The federal budget should reflect the priorities and values of our nation, but the Republican plan instead looks out for the likes of big corporations who would get enormous tax breaks. What's more, the Republicans are asking America's seniors to pay for it. In fact, the Republican budget would end Medicare as we know it. And it would devastate Medicaid. Moreover, the Republican budget hurts our economy and in particular investments in innovation.

* Mr. Speaker, the Republican budget proposal will severely unravel our nation's gains in the clean energy economy. At the same time, it proposes significant tax subsidies for Big Oil. There is something not right with that picture. In fact, I believe the Republican budget is severely short-sighted. It offers our competitors, China and Germany, a free-pass to dominate an ever-growing clean energy manufacturing economy and job creation.

* The Sacramento area has over 220 clean energy companies, and I can tell you that many of those small business CEOs are seeking continued investment and support from this Congress.

* Mr. Chair, we should be promoting policies like the Make It in America agenda to boost America's manufacturing industry and make products here this country. In order for America to remain competitive, innovative, and a global leader, we must make responsible choices.

* Unfortunately, the Ryan budget does not. I urge my colleagues to vote against this misguided Republican budget plan.

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