[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E559]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2004

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                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 20, 2003

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the concurrent resolution 
     (H. Con. Res. 95) establishing the congressional budget for 
     the United States Government for fiscal year 2004 and setting 
     forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2003 and 
     2005 through 2013:

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Chairman, the budget we're considering today does 
not reflect America's priorities.
  At a time when Minnesota is making difficult choices to balance the 
State budget, at a time when we're confronting terrorism and a slumping 
economy, this budget turns its back on the American people.
  This budget is reckless and irresponsible and hurts American 
families. It explodes the deficit, fails to create jobs, and fails to 
invest in education and health care.
  Instead of a fiscally responsible budget, this budget piles up record 
deficits--the worst ever on record.
  Instead of offering a budget that creates jobs, this budget 
incorporates the Bush tax cut plan, which the Economic Policy Institute 
says would cause a net loss of 750,000 jobs by 2013.
  Instead of providing for a meaningful prescription drug benefit, the 
budget includes only $28 billion in new money for a Medicare 
prescription drug benefit, and envisions cuts in both Medicare and 
Medicaid that put hospitals, seniors, children, and the disabled at 
risk.
  The Democratic budget I support focuses on America's priorities. Our 
budget includes an economic stimulus plan, which would jump-start the 
economy, provide tax relief and create 1 million jobs. Our budget 
provides more funding for homeland security, $34 billion, more funding 
for education, $44 billion, and more funding for the environment, 
veterans and other priorities.
  We also provide at least $500 billion more for prescription drugs. 
Finally, our budget matches the President's defense request for the 
next 5 years, and achieves balance by 2010.

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