Date: 2006-05-17
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Texas

Mr. Chairman. let me thank the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. most especially Mr. SCOTT. for their unwavering support for the development of the CBC alternative budget that encompasses progressive and visionary funding motivated by principle and compassion. The CBC alternative understands that our Nations transportation system is the backbone of our economy and our way of life. either of which we cannot afford to shortchange. The CBC budget increases funding- for public transportation. Amtrak. the FAAs airport improvement program. and other vital infrastructure programs crucial to ensure a stable economy. The CBC alternative supports greater competitiveness in science and technology. As a senior member of the Science Committee. I feel it is important to invest in our childrens future. Federal entitlements such as NASA and the National Science Foundation need funding to inspire todays youth so that we can have a future in research. I ask. Mr. Chairman. that Members of this body listen to their conscience. We are in a position to prevent funding atrocities to infiltrate and demise progress. The Nations budget cannot be based on one partys sole agenda. We cannot allow societal factors to divide us in irresponsible spending or unconscionable tax breaks to define us. Mr. Chairman. I want to thank the Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. Mr. WATT. and Mr. SCOTr for their leadership and unwavering support for the development of this alternative budget. I also would like to thank all the members of the CBC and their staff for their help in completing this very important task. I appreciate and applaud their efforts on" issues important to all of us. The CBC alternative budget prioritizes the .importance of social justice by advocating for the forgotten poor and more specifically addressing the needs of African Americans and other neglected minorities. The CBC alternative budget is filled with progressive and visionary funding and is motivated by principle and compassion. It is a budget that voices the concerns and needs of the poor. the children and the elderly that have been so easily set aside by this administration. The shortsightedness of the Republican budget mirrors that of its drafters. The Republican budget " borrows from future generations to pay for todays unconscionable tax cuts and irresponsible deficit spending. It offers a $372 billion deficit in 2006 and $348 billion in 2007. and $1.1 trillion worth of deficits over five years. The Republican budget proposal ignores the needs of Texans and all hard working Americans and places the burden of the offset on their shoulders. It reduces taxes for the wealthiest Americans and slams the door on economic opportunity for working families. It reduces veterans health care by $6 billion. education by $45.3 billion. public health by $18.1 billion. and environmental protection by $25.0 billion. They also include $6.8 billion in reconciliation cuts to mandatory programs. The CBC alternative understands that our Nations Iransportation.system is the backbone ofoUrettnomy and a way of life. either of which. we cannot afford to shortchange. The CBC budget increases funding for public transportation. Amtrak. the FAAs Airport Improvement Program. and other vital infrastructure programs crucial to ensure a stable economy. The CBC alternative supports greater competitiveness in science and technology. As a senior Member of the House Science Committee. I feel it is important to invest in our childrens futures. Federal entities such as NASA and the National Science Foundation need funding to inspire todays students and produce tomorrows researchers. The science budget funds our scientific and engineering workforce. supports teacher enrichment programs. and helps inspire future generations of researchers. Our Nations future depends more and more on the quality of our innovative ideas. The fruits of these investments meet vital national needs and improve the quality of life for all Americans. The CBC alternative budget also provides funding for the minority health initiative. health insurance for the uninsured. child nutrition programs. job creation programs under the SBA. the extension of unemployment insurance benefits and eliminating the disabled veterans tax. It provides $80 billion over the next five years for education and job training programs and provides over $20 billion more for health care programs than the Republican budget. It also provides $6 billion more on community and regional development which encompasses job creation programs under SBA. community and regional development programs. nutritional programs. Hope VI and Section 8 Housing Programs. LowIncome Home Energy Assistance. and housing for the disabled and the elderly. I ask. Mr. Chairman. that Members of this body listen to their conscience. We are in a position to prevent funding atrocities to infiltrate and demise progress. This Nations budget cannot be based on one partys sole agenda. We cannot allow societal factors to divide us and irresponsible spending or unconscionable tax cuts to define us.