[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 63 (Friday, May 19, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E889-E890]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 17, 2006

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under

[[Page E890]]

     consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 376) 
     establishing the congressional budget for the United States 
     Government for fiscal year 2007 and setting forth appropriate 
     budgetary levels for fiscal years 2008 through 2011:

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in opposition to the 
Republican budget resolution. The Republican's 2007 budget--and the 
signing of tax cuts for millionaires today--reflects priorities that 
are not in line with what our country stands for or the values in which 
most Americans believe. In keeping with an unfortunate tradition, the 
Republicans have once again put tax cuts for the wealthy ahead of 
national security, investing in our economic competitiveness, and 
meeting the needs of seniors, families, and students. This budget puts 
K Street ahead of the needs of Main Street.
  The Republicans claim that this budget will decrease the massive 
Bush-era deficit. However, even with all the cruel cuts they make to 
medical research, health care, and nutrition assistance, their tax cuts 
add another $1.1 trillion to the deficit. Is that responsible?
  The Republicans claim to have our country's best interests in mind. 
Yet, they slash funding for education and job training by $4.6 billion. 
Is that in our best interest?
  The Republicans allege that their fiscal policies spark economic 
growth and prosperity. In reality, income is dropping, poverty has 
increased over the last several years, and 7.1 million Americans remain 
unemployed. Is that growth and prosperity?
  What is responsible is funding vocational education to train our 
future workers, as the Democratic alternative to this budget would do. 
It is in our country's best interest to fund port security and homeland 
security. The Democratic budget recognizes that by providing $6.5 
billion more than Republican budget does for homeland and port 
security. What would spur economic growth is funding initiatives like 
the Community Development Block Grants program, not cutting it by $736 
million as the Republicans do. That money would help revitalize our 
dilapidated neighborhoods.
  As I have said time and time again, budgets reflect what we value and 
what is important to us as a country. I value senior citizens--and that 
is why I cannot support a Republican budget that cuts their housing 
assistance by 26 percent. I believe it is important to prepare for our 
future so I cannot support a plan that cuts 42 education programs. I 
support our troops and refuse to support any budget that would cut 
veterans' health care by $8.6 billion even as new veterans, many 
severely wounded, are returning home every day. But that's what the 
Republican budget does.
  I urge my colleagues to vote with our common American values and 
dreams in mind and support the Democratic and Congressional Black 
Caucus budgets and oppose the Republican budget that sells out the 
needs of the majority of Americans to make room for tax cuts for 
millionaires and K Street interests.

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