[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 4644]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    DEMOCRATIC BUDGET PRIORITIZES THE NEED TO STRENGTHEN OUR ECONOMY

  (Mr. ARCURI asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and revise and extend his remark.)
  Mr. ARCURI. Madam Speaker, at a time of serious economic uncertainty, 
Democrats have passed a 2009 Democratic budget last month that invests 
in Federal programs that will boost our economy.
  In February, our economy shed 63,000 jobs in fields across-the-board. 
In order to compete in the new economy, we need to invest in 
innovation, energy, education and infrastructure, and that is exactly 
what this Democratic budget does.
  Our budget provides crucial funding for the Democratic innovation 
agenda and the America Competes Act to enhance our competitive edge by 
increasing funding for important math and science education research. 
We also increase funding for efficient and renewable energy programs so 
we can create the green collar jobs of the future. Our budget also 
invests $7.1 billion more than the President for essential education 
and job training programs that are so important at a time when 
Americans are losing their jobs.
  Madam Speaker, the Democratic budget strives to build a better 
economy without raising a penny in additional taxes.

                          ____________________