Date: 2008-03-13
Speaker: EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (democrat)
Chamber: H

of Texas. Mr. Chairman. I want to thank Chairwoman KILPATRICK. the Congressional Black Caucus and my colleague. Congressman SCOTT from Virginia. for their leadership and unwavering support for the development of this alternative budget. The CBC alternative budget is filled with progressive and visionary funding that 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 current administration. The CBC alternative budget understands that our Nations transportation system is the backbone of our economy and our way of life. neither of which we cannot afford to shortchange. Funding included in the CBC budget also supports great 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. which is also an investment in our own future. Provisions for the science and technology fields will address access to higher education. enrichment programs in the STEM fields. and spur critical research and development to meet the needs of this country.. 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 programs and services crucial to the American people. rather than continuing to provide tax breaks for those who least need it. By repealing several of the tax cuts implemented under the current administration. the CBC budget provides robust funding for muchneeded programs and services. Such programs include health care for uninsured children. eaucation. and job training programs. an expanded GI Bill for post9/l1 veterans. as well as increases in benefits and services. juvenile justice prevention and intervention programs. community and regional development. public housing. the Army Corps of Engineers. and homeland security needs. Mr. Chairman. we are in a position to provide funding for longneglected programs and to advance on our promise for progress. The CBC alternative understands that our Nations transportation system is the backbone of our economy and our way of life. neither of which we can afford to shortchange. -Funding..inclL I .in theCPC budget .als supports greater. )cor1potitiveness. in scienc:.e and technology. As a senior Member of the and a zeroing out of the section 108 House Science Committee. I feelit is impor- Loan Guarantee program. If enacted.. tant to invest in our childrens futures. Provi- the Presidents budget would culsions for the science and technology fields will minate a multiyear attack on CDBG address access to higher education. enrich- that could put the program at a fundment programs in STEM fields. and spur crit- ing level of about onehalf of its approical research and development to meet the priation in fiscal year 2001. needs of our country. I ask support of the CBC budget. I beOur Nations future depends more and more lieve that all of America would be on the quality of our innovative ideas. The served well by this budget. fruits of these investments meet vital national Mr. LINCOLN DIAZBALART of needs and improve the quality of life for all Florida. Mr. Chairman. I reserve. Americans. Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. ChairI ask. Mr. Chairman. that Members of this man. I yield 22 minutes to the gentlebody listen to their conscience. woman from California. Ms. BARBARA