[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 43 (Thursday, March 13, 2008)]
[House]
[Page H1622]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   DEMOCRATIC BUDGET IS FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE BUT ALSO FUNDS CRITICAL 
                               PRIORITIES

  (Mr. ELLISON asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. ELLISON. Madam Speaker, today we continue debate on the 
Democratic budget that boosts economic growth and restores fiscal 
responsibility. While the Bush administration's budget priorities and 
policies are responsible for the largest fiscal deterioration in our 
Nation's history, the 2009 Democratic budget is not only balanced by 
2012, but it also invests in our Nation's top priorities.
  We reject the President's budget proposal because it creates a $396 
billion deficit this year, while cutting funding for Medicaid and 
Medicare, veterans and homeland security. Our budget rejects the 
President's cuts and instead fully invests in Medicare and Medicaid, so 
that the most vulnerable amongst us, our children and our seniors, 
continue to have access to healthcare assistance.
  We also reject the President's proposal to add more than $18 billion, 
billion with a B, over the next 5 years in new fees for our veterans 
and military retirees.
  We reject the President's attempt to eliminate several State and 
local law enforcement programs, including the successful COPS, 
Community Oriented Policing Services program, which has put more police 
on the street to help reduce crime.

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