[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 56 (Friday, March 30, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E731]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008

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                               speech of

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 29, 2007

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of the Democratic 
House budget resolution H. Con. Res. 99) that adopts and implements 
funding priorities that reflect the core values of our Nation and 
provides a responsible fiscal blueprint to lead our nation out of 
deficit spending. Medicare, Medicaid and education funding like Pell 
Grants.
  H. Con. Res. 99 puts the Federal Government's fiscal house in order 
by committing to a PAYGO budget rule. Enforcing PAYGO means that all 
new federal spending must be offset so that we are not adding to the 
red ink that endangers our nation's fiscal security.
  The budget resolution does not increase taxes. In fact, it extends 
beyond 2010 of important tax cuts for the middle class--including the 
child tax credit, marriage penalty relief, estate tax reform, and the 
deduction for state and local sales taxes--an important credit for 
California taxpayers. It also extends the Research and Development tax 
credit to spur innovation.
  H. Con. Res. 99 allocates over $85 billion for veterans programs and 
exceeds the President's request by $3.5 billion. This long overdue 
increase for our veterans will help provide the immediate care our new 
veterans require and address the long-term care issues facing many of 
our older wounded warriors. In addition to covering the basic issues of 
care and rehabilitation, the FY2008 Budget Resolution includes 
additional funds for post-traumatic stress disorder research, 
identification, and treatment, and funds for the elimination of the 
nearly 400,000 cases currently residing in the claims backlog. As Vice-
Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Military 
Construction, Veterans' Affairs and Related Agencies, I am pleased we 
are able to be generous to our nation's veterans who have earned these 
benefits.
  The Democratic budget rejects the President's cuts in environmental 
programs and instead supports valuable research and natural resource 
conservation programs, such as NOAA's Education Program and the Ocean 
and Coastal Management program.
  Despite the President's past assertions of making education one of 
his legacy programs, his FY2008 budget request to cut much needed 
funding for core education programs including No Child Left Behind. The 
Democratic House budget continues a long tradition of putting children 
first by adding over $3 billion to core programs under No Child Left 
Behind as well as special education (IDEA), Head Start, child care and 
funding to help students afford the ever-increasing cost of college.
  Affordable housing on the Central Coast is one of the most pressing 
issues for families in our community. I am very pleased that the 
Democratic budget helps address this crisis by including a reserve fund 
to finance efforts to reverse the decline in affordable housing without 
increasing the deficit. I am proud to vote in support of H. Con. Res 99 
and strongly urge my colleagues to support this budget that prioritizes 
America's important needs.

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