[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 38 (Thursday, March 30, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E488]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  BUDGET CUTS HARM WOMEN AND CHILDREN

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 29, 2006

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, tonight I join my colleagues in highlighting 
the detrimental effects the President's fiscal year 2007 budget will 
have on women.
  From health and education, to the protection and development of women 
and girls internationally, this administration intends to cut funding 
in programs that are vital to women's well-being and development.
  Worse still Mr. Speaker, many of the programs that the President 
intends to cut disproportionately impact minority women negatively.
  For example, in the area of health, the fiscal year 2007 budget cuts 
$1 million out of the National Center on Minority Health and Health 
Disparities. This is a critical facility that directs money and 
technical assistance to organizations working with minorities on 
diseases that disproportionately kill women, such as heart disease, 
diabetes and obesity.
  Additionally, the President's budget would cut funds from the 
minority HIV/AIDS initiative which actively seeks to address the 
prevention and treatment needs of minority communities heavily impacted 
by HIV/AIDS.
  The budget cuts the Office of Minority Health by a staggering $11 
million and the Office on Women's Health would receive a significant 
cut.
  It's not just health that is slashed in the President's budget.
  The President proposes cutting funding for education initiatives for 
homeless children and youth by $600,000 and cut Pell grants by a 
whopping $430 million--with an award cap of $4,050.
  Furthermore, the President has proposed a $1 million decrease to fair 
housing assistance programs for our most needy.
  Mr. Speaker, I could stand here all night and list the outrageous 
cuts in health, education, and housing programs the President's budget 
would inflict, but I would be remiss if I didn't also highlight the 
cuts to programs that guarantee the safety of women domestically and 
abroad.
  One of the most successful programs to prevent violence against women 
while funding the prosecution of those who have committed those crimes, 
the Violence Against Women Act or VAWA, will face a potential $39.5 
million cut.
  Additionally, women's health is the President's proposed $2 million 
cut to the United Nations Development Fund and a $9 million cut to the 
United Nations Population Fund will jeopardize the health and safety of 
women around the world.
  Mr. Speaker, our budget is a moral document. It reflects the values 
of our Nation. I'm sad to say these aren't the values that my sisters 
in Congress and across the country hold dear.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to think about what a budget 
like the one the President has proposed means to each and everyone of 
their constituents. You can't tell me we can't do better.

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