[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 66 (Wednesday, May 24, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E954]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007

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                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    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 consideration 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. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition 
to the reckless budget proposed by President Bush and House 
Republicans.
  H. Con. Res. 376 is a $2.7 trillion budget that will add $1.1 
trillion to our debt over the next 5 years. If this becomes the law of 
the land, our budget deficit will hit near record levels in 2006 and 
2007. But that's only part of the story. The budget provides for no 
funding for Iraq and Afghanistan past 2007, although we have heard from 
President Bush that this war will last at least until 2009. Nor does it 
address tax issues facing middle class families--such as the 
alternative minimum tax. In addition, this bill includes a provision to 
raise the debt limit for the fifth year in a row--resulting in a $3.7 
trillion increase since 2001.
  This budget imposes painful cuts on children and families while 
allowing our national deficit to continue to spiral out of control. 
Cuts to health care, education, veterans' services, and the environment 
are all made in order to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy. But because 
even these devastating cuts do not equal the level of tax giveaways 
proposed, this budget forces future generations to pay for the mistakes 
of today.
  Mr. Speaker, this budget does not reflect American values. It cuts 
education--from early education through higher education--when we need 
to reinvest in American global competitiveness. It cuts funding for 
public health and health research--shortchanging potential lifesaving 
research and health care providers struggling to serve current 
populations and to prepare for a possible pandemic. It cuts homeland 
security funding by $6 billion--as our Nation is involved in conflicts 
around the world and American good will is waning. Most outrageously, 
this budget cuts funding for veterans' health care by $8.6 billion over 
5 years. At a time when we're asking more of our service men and women 
and their families, this type of across-the-board disinvestment is 
short-sighted and negligent and should be rejected.
  Congress can and should pass a budget that is fiscally responsible 
and protects the priorities of the American people. Democrats offered 
an alternative plan investing in education, health research and 
veterans' benefits while balancing the budget by 2012. This plan, 
offered by Mr. Spratt, would keep America competitive by making needed 
investments and reduce the burden of staggering Federal debt on future 
generations.
  I urge my colleagues to support the Spratt substitute and reject the 
dangerous owe-as-you-go policies put forward by the Bush Administration 
and the Republican Majority in Congress.

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