[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 19]
[House]
[Page 25564]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         BUDGET RECONCILIATION

  (Mr. SALAZAR asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. SALAZAR. Madam Speaker, I stand united with my fellow Blue Dogs 
in protest of this reckless budget vote that we will be taking this 
week. I have said time and time again that our budget is a moral 
document and it is about our priorities and values as a nation.
  Let us be clear about this budget reconciliation and what it will do 
for America.
  It will pay for tax cuts for the rich on the backs of our Nation's 
poorest, including low-income seniors who receive help from Medicaid.
  It abandons rural America by proposing $1 billion in cuts to ag 
commodity programs.
  It takes aim at valuable research and conservation programs that will 
help farmers to stay on the land.
  And in a time when everyone is concerned about rising energy prices, 
this bill cuts funds for renewable energy programs. Yet none of these 
savings will go towards balancing the budget.
  Together we can do better. We need to return to responsible budget 
principles that include pay-as-you-go spending. We need a balanced 
budget amendment. And we need a Federal budget that is honest with the 
American people.
  I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this budget reconciliation.

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