House Passes Budget

"This signals an important reorientation in our national priorities," said Serrano after the vote. "In the previous administration there was endless support to fund an unnecessary war in Iraq, but nothing but cuts when it came to helping the needy in our own country. With this budget we are signaling our intention to strengthen the future of the United States. We are showing our readiness to limit carbon emissions, make sure that more families can afford to send their sons and daughters to college, and make sure that all Americans have access to health care. I look forward to the hard work of putting this plan for the future into practice."

The resolutions also renew Congress' commitment to ensuring that services for veterans are improved, continuing tax cuts for the middle class and allowing tax cuts for families making more than $250,000 a year to expire. The main issue to be worked out between the House and Senate is the handling of a proposed cap and trade approach to carbon emissions.