[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 63 (Thursday, April 19, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E795-E796]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 29, 2007

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the 
Democratic Budget Resolution.
  In the face of a burgeoning national debt, I want to commend Chairman 
John Spratt for drafting a budget that reflects the commitment of our 
new Democratic majority to restore fiscal integrity, and shift Federal 
budget priorities to reflect key American values.
  This Budget Resolution will balance the Federal budget in 5 years by 
requiring that any new expenditure be offset. This is a fiscally 
responsible policy that turned deficits into surpluses in the 1990s.
  The Democratic Budget Resolution also stands in contrast to 
Administration policies that have undermined long-term investments in 
areas that help to improve the quality of life of Americans. This 
Resolution addresses the shortfalls of past budgets, and reflects key 
American values by increasing funding levels to enhance health care for 
our Nation's children, and for our men and women returning from combat.

[[Page E796]]

  The budget resolution helps enhance and expand educational 
opportunities for millions of American students who have been left 
behind by the misguided policies of the Administration. The No Child 
Left Behind Act was enacted to ensure that every child, regardless of 
race, income, or background, receives a high quality education. 
Unfortunately, over the past 6 years, the Administration has never 
fully funded the program, forcing schools to comply with the Act's high 
standards without the resources needed to succeed. This budget 
resolution puts the education of our children first, by increasing 
funding for the implementation of No Child Left Behind. In addition, it 
increases funding for special education, the Head Start program, and 
student aid for higher education.
  Madam Speaker, there are millions of children without health 
insurance, including over one million in my home state of California. 
This Democratic budget resolution also makes investments in the health 
of our Nation's children by increasing funding for the State Children's 
Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) by $50 billion. This increase will 
help parents who worry every day about their ability to care for their 
children in time of illness and injury.
  Equally as important, this budget resolution upholds our Nation's 
sacred commitment to our servicemen and women by providing for the 
largest veterans funding increase in the history of our Nation. The $32 
billion increase in veterans health care and services over the next 5 
years is critically needed to improve existing VA healthcare 
facilities, and to ensure that disability claims for our returning 
servicemembers are quickly and accurately processed. This Democratic 
budget helps ensure that our veterans receive high quality and 
accessible care that is worthy of their sacrifice.
  This fiscally responsible Democratic budget reflects the beginning of 
an important shift in which government truly works on behalf of the 
American people. I urge my colleagues to support America's future by 
voting for this fair and responsible Democratic Budget Resolution.

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